Stoke linked with Scotland target O’Neill
THE Scottish Football Association’s pursuit of Michael O’Neill was today described as hanging “in the balance” by a Hampden source.
The SFA have identified O’Neill as their preferred candidate to take over from Gordon Strachan, who departed in October after failing to secure a Russia 2018 play-off place, as Scotland manager.
However, the 48-yearold has emerged as one of the leading contenders to take over at Barclays Premier League club Stoke City following the sacking of Mark Hughes on Saturday.
The Portadown-born coach led his native Northern Ireland to the Euro 2016 finals – their first major tournament in 30 years – as well as a Russia 2018 play-off place last year.
The former Dundee United, Hibernian, Aberdeen and St. Johnstone midfielder, who still lives in Edinburgh, is under contract with the Irish Football Association until 2020.
But the IFA have offered him a lucrative four year extension to his existing deal and initial negotiations are said to have been constructive.
The SFA, though, are still hopeful that O’Neill, who has been in charge of his country for the past six years, will decide to move on and take over the running of the Scotland national team.
O’Neill now has to decide whether to remain with Northern Ireland, join Scotland or hold out for a position at a club side.
He has been courted by several English clubs as a result of his success with Northern Ireland and Sunderland and West Brom have both been granted permission to speak to him this season. He has also been linked with a move to Rangers.
Now Stoke, who sacked Hughes after they were knocked out of the FA Cup by League Two rivals Coventry City at the weekend, have emerged as potential suitors.
He is the third favourite to take over at the bet365 Stadium behind his namesake Martin, the current Republic of Ireland manager, and Slaven Bilic, the former West Ham manager, with many bookmakers.
“The best way to put it is to say it is in the balance,” said the Hampden source.
However, the SFA are unprepared to pay over the odds for O’Neill.
If the governing body feels that it will cost too much to bring O’Neill in then they will move on to another of the names on their shortlist. Steve Clarke, Alex McLeish, Paul Lambert and Cesare Prandelli, the former Italy manager who is now in charge at Al-Nasr in Dubai, have also been linked with the vacant position.