ENGLISH FOOTBALL TOO ‘SACK-HAPPY’
Why respected O’Neill not tempted by axe-culture of the Prem
MICHAEL O’NEILL claims he has been put off managing in England because of the number of trigger-happy owners.
The Northern Ireland boss would like a club job in England some time in the future and he is in demand after his historic Euro 2016 success.
O’Neill, 47, insists he is in no hurry because of the sacking culture – he saw his former No.2 Stephen Robinson last just six months at Oldham.
“Football’s more volatile now than it’s ever been,” said O’Neill, who is under contract with the Irish FA until 2020.
“Everyone always thinks the next step for a manager in my position is to go into club football in England, but that may not be the case.
“The game is a lot more global now. Look at the tenure of a club manager in England and it’s maybe not as appealing as it was.
“You never know how someone evaluates what you do. The ownership model at clubs is very different from what it was. It would be foolhardy of me to wish my career away thinking ‘I wish I had that job, this job’. I don’t think like that.
“I’m five years in this job and a lot of people are trying to put me into another job, but I’m OK where I’m at. I’m focused on the games and the prize, hopefully, of getting to Russia.”
O’Neill has led the Irish to second in Group C and hopes they take another significant step towards the World Cup Finals by beating Norway at Windsor Park tomorrow night.
He says all the pressure is on the Scandinavians, who recently appointed former Iceland coach Lars Lagerback as their new manager. Lagerback (below) vowed Norway would finish above Northern Ireland when he took over in February – and O’Neill reckons that will be unlikely if he does not lead his new side to victory. “When you come into a job, you have to be bold, you have to approach it with confidence and I think he’s made those statements to give everyone a lift,” said O’Neill. “It’s a game they really have to win, to be honest, to keep any hopes they have alive. “There’s a four-point gap between us at the minute. If we win the game, we’ll be seven points ahead of Norway, which will be a huge gap to get back over five games.”
O’Neill met Lagerback when he did his coaching badges with the Scottish FA and feels he knows the Swede’s style after witnessing his success with Iceland at the Euros.
“Having seen him with Iceland, we know how he’ll play,” said O’Neill.
“There won’t be too many surprises. When a new manager comes in, you expect a lift and Norway have good players.
“They will not relish coming to Belfast.
“We’ve not conceded a goal there and we’ve scored eight goals there in the two games. They won’t underestimate us.”