Michael O'Neill

[SW4Baggie]

I'm amazed he's doing this. If I were an NI fan, I'd be furious. Unfortunately, he is an excellent manager, so this could be very bad news for us.

Not sure I'd go as far as to say he's an excellent manager, he did an average job at Stoke...

He's a decent manager who will put some fight into Blackburn, but it's hardly like they've just pulled in a prime Mourinho.

Probably makes them stronger than they were under Val, but their squad is just not good, and if they finish above us it's down to us.

[Dreamkiller]

Count me among the surprised with this.

When he joined Stoke, he'd also intended on remaining in the NI job, but that lasted about five months. I'm not sure that kind of thing is doable nowadays, particularly with the intensity of the Championship schedule. And O'Neill ain't getting any younger. 

He did a decent job at Stoke, and unlike the other hapless victims who've been and gone since relegation, he left with his head held high and with the fans best wishes. I just couldn't see him taking on the same sort of role elsewhere after returning to the relative comfort zone of the NI job.

[CIM]

26th March

With multiple Championship Easter games a few days after. Will be a tough gig for him trying to balance both.

[Baggybenny]

The gauntlet has been thrown down.

Looking forward to the (penalty) shootouts

[Jacko]

Bad news for Leicester I suppose. Shouldn't effect us.

[Duffers]

I'm amazed he's doing this. If I were an NI fan, I'd be furious. Unfortunately, he is an excellent manager, so this could be very bad news for us.

Same, a month or so out from their biggest game in years and he’s taken another job on? Pretty poor form.

[Vinebaggie]

Northern Ireland are playing Italy away, I suspect that O'Neil's concerns about the world cup will conclude on the 26th March.

[Tom Joad 25]

I'm amazed he's doing this. If I were an NI fan, I'd be furious. Unfortunately, he is an excellent manager, so this could be very bad news for us.

Same, a month or so out from their biggest game in years and he’s taken another job on? Pretty poor form.

Yes. The N.I. FA should cut his wages pro rata.

[CIM]

Northern Ireland are playing Italy away, I suspect that O'Neil's concerns about the world cup will conclude on the 26th March.

Quite a few games between now and then. Could be too late to save Blackburn by that point

[mickeypearce]

Northern Ireland are playing Italy away, I suspect that O'Neil's concerns about the world cup will conclude on the 26th March.

Quite a few games between now and then. Could be too late to save Blackburn by that point

Wim doomed