Michael O’Neill joins Blackburn Rovers in temporary ...

The Irish FA has approved a short-term arrangement with EFL Championship side, Blackburn Rovers, for Northern Ireland senior men’s manager, Michael O’Neill to take charge of their remaining games of the 2025/26 season.

The arrangement allows O’Neill to return for the FIFA World Cup play-off against Italy in March.

Blackburn Rovers were looking for a manager with vast experience and expertise, and Michael O’Neill was the perfect fit for the profile identified.

He is expected to be at Loftus Road for the Lancashire side’s Championship fixture against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday February 14.

O’Neill said: “I am grateful to the Irish FA for their support in allowing me to take this opportunity.

“I think it’s a forward-thinking approach, where I’ll be using a scheduled period of inactivity creatively and proactively.

“Being out on the grass every day, involved in matches, tactical work and the intensity of club football, keeps you at your best.

“It also gives me closer visibility of players operating in the Championship, where a significant number of our squad are competing week in, week out. Having that proximity to their environment is valuable in terms of understanding form, fitness and emerging talent.

“If this experience helps sharpen me and enhances our preparation even marginally, then it’s a positive step for us.”

Irish FA Chief Executive, Patrick Nelson, said: “We see this as a progressive move. The decision was taken following careful consideration and has been structured to ensure that the national team’s preparation and planning, remain unaffected.

“Michael remaining active on the grass during this period can only enhance the level of our preparation for the play-off.

“We are assured that, following four months of preparation, everything remains on track, and our focus is firmly on ensuring the squad is ready between now and kick-off in Bergamo. Michael will be using his downtime productively by being in and amongst the cut and thrust of elite-level football.

“With a World Cup play-off on the horizon, we are confident this experience will only strengthen his preparedness ahead of such a key fixture.”

Irish FA President, Conrad Kirkwood, said:“Michael has managed Northern Ireland for 100 games. He is a seasoned operator, and we feel that he remains well placed to achieve World Cup qualification.”

O’Neill has had previous success at Stoke City when the club was in a relegation fight, with his ability to stabilise the club during a turbulent period acknowledged by the cub’s chairman, John Coates.

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