Northern Ireland boss O’Neill set to take over at Blackburn

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill is set to take over at Championship club Blackburn Rovers, initially in a joint role until the end of the season.

Northern Ireland face Italy in a World Cup play-off semi-final in March and then either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in a final or friendly, depending on the result in Bergamo.

O’Neill is expected to be involved for both matches and, if Northern Ireland qualify against the odds, for the World Cup finals.

The 56-year-old could then take over as manager at Blackburn, who are in the Championship’s relegation zone, on a permanent basis.

Former Northern Ireland midfielder Damien Johnson, who has been in interim charge at Ewood Park, is expected to work alongside O’Neill at the Lancashire club until the end of this season.

If a deal with the Irish FA is agreed quickly, O’Neill could be in charge for Saturday’s game against Queens Park Rangers.

Blackburn are 22nd in the Championship table, one place from safety on goal difference.

They have been without a manager since Valerien Ismael left his role on 2 February, with Johnson taking interim charge.

O’Neill had a similar agreement – combining duties with club and country – with Stoke City when his first spell as Northern Ireland manager came to a close in 2020.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the Euro 2020 play-offs and O’Neill left his role before those games took place.

He returned to the international scene in 2022 and signed a contract that ran until after the Euro 2028 campaign.