O’NEILL TO SIGN IRISH EXTENSION

Switzerland, which O’neill is travelling to. The contract could even be signed late this week as there is a chance O’neill could be in Dublin for a press briefing.

Stoke are in a spin after backto-back rejections as Quique Sanches Flores (below) snubbed them on Saturday.

There wasn’t a lot of love floating around in Ireland for O’neill this past week as he flirted with Stoke City, only to give them the flick last night.

The Denmark debacle in November is still a sore point and the 65-year-old was known to be stung by the criticism he got in the wake of that pasting.

But the theory being floated last night is that he is energised about building and test-driving a younger Irish team in the UEFA Nations Cup this year.

His focus is on Euro 2020 qualification – the qualifiers start in March next year in a new departure from the traditional programme – for which Dublin is a host city.

Last October’s verbal agreement to stay on for two more years will now materialise in the form of an actual contract. And Mirror Sport can reveal it will be signed ahead of next Wednesday’s Nations League draw in Switzerland – and could even be done by the end of the week.

That act in itself will draw some closure to a madcap week of twists, turns and intrigue but ultimately a PR disaster for all involved.

O’neill’s standing in the eyes of many Irish fans took a hammering; the FAI looked weak and helpless as their prized asset considered walking while Stoke are in meltdown.

Earlier yesterday, Jon Walters had urged Stoke to bend over backwards to land O’neill and Keane as their management duo.

“I’m a Stoke fan having been there for so long, and I’m an Ireland player – and if I was Stoke City I would be clamouring to appoint him,” said Walters.