IFA SET TO DECIDE BETWEEN FIVE FOR A NEW MANAGER

IRISH FA chiefs plan to name the new Northern Ireland manager before the weekend after completing the interview process today.

And it is understood five candidates are on the shortlist to succeed Michael O’neill who stepped down in April to focus on Stoke City.

Former St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright (above left) and Motherwell’s Stephen Robinson (above right) were interviewed face-to-face at Windsor Park yesterday.

Northern Ireland U21 coach Ian Baraclough and the IFA’S Elite Academy chief Jim Magilton are also on the five-man shortlist.

And another name being linked with the post last night is former Kilmarnock boss Kenny Shiels who is now managing the Northern Ireland women’s team.

It is understood each candidate

had to prepare a presentation on the forthcoming Euro 2020 play-offs before undergoing a series of questions on how to sustain and build on the recent momentum of O’neill’s tenure.

The IFA board is due to meet this evening to ratify a decision, with candidates expecting a phone call by tomorrow morning at the latest.

Motherwell confirmed they had given Robinson permission to speak to the IFA.

However, the SPFL club insisted it remains eager to hold onto the seven-times capped midfielder who led the Steelmen to a third place finish last season.

In a statement, it said: “On Tuesday, the governing body sought consent to interview Stephen for the job, which we reluctantly granted. We have expressed in the strongest possible terms that we want him to stay with us.

“As we prepare to embark on a UEFA Europa League campaign, it is our hope that Stephen will stay to continue the work that has proven so successful.”

Northern Ireland’s next games are a Nations League double-header in September before they face Bosnia in a Euro 2020 play-off on October 8.

The four-man IFA panel is headed up by chief executive Patrick Nelson and president David Martin.