Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has taken charge of Blackburn Rovers in the Championship in a unique arrangement which will allow him to juggle both roles.
The deal is understood to be on a joint basis, with O’Neill balancing Rovers’ relegation battle and preparations for the crucial Northern Ireland match. World Cup play-offs.
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The demanding schedule includes Northern Ireland’s play-off semi-final against Italy in March.
If they defy expectations, he would then oversee a subsequent play-off against Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina, with a place in the summer tournament on the line.
This mirrors his previous arrangement at Stoke in late 2019, where he initially remained as Northern Ireland manager, although Covid-19 disruptions saw him leave his international post ahead of the Euro 2020 play-offs.
Northern Ireland to enter World Cup play-offs next month (PA) (PA Wire)
In a statement, O’Neill said: “I am grateful to the Irish FA for their support in allowing me to pursue this opportunity.
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“I think this is a forward-thinking approach, where I will use a scheduled period of inactivity in a creative and proactive way.
“Being on the pitch every day, participating in matches, tactical work and the intensity of club football keeps you at your best.
“It also gives me greater visibility into the players playing in the Championship, where a significant number of our squad compete week in, week out. This proximity to their environment is valuable in terms of understanding form, fitness and emerging talent.
“If this experience helps me improve and even slightly improves our preparation, then it’s a positive step for us.”
The 56-year-old was in Brussels on Thursday for the UEFA Nations League draw, which pitted Northern Ireland against Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia, but did not speak to the media.
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Blackburn currently sit 22nd in the Championship table, level on points with Leicester above them and holding a game in hand.
Former Northern Ireland midfielder Damien Johnson has taken over at Ewood Park since the dismissal of Valérien Ismael on February 2.
O’Neill has a history of guiding clubs out of trouble, having steered Stoke out of the relegation zone after joining mid-season in 2019.
He returned for his second term as Northern Ireland manager in December 2022, recently marking his 100th game in charge.
His national team is aiming for its first World Cup in 40 years and its first major tournament since O’Neill led it to Euro 2016, but it faces a tricky path to this summer’s global event.
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O’Neill is expected to be in the dugout for Blackburn’s trip to QPR on Saturday, embarking on a high-stakes dual mission for club and country.
