Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Baraclough named boss of NI team
IFA hand reins to Baraclough
IAN BARACLOUGH is relishing the prospect of succeeding Michael O’Neill in the Windsor Park dugout after being confirmed as Northern Ireland’s new manager last night.
The Englishman, who has been elevated from his role as U21s head coach, signed an 18-month contract after agreeing terms with the Irish FA.
He pipped the likes of Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson and respected former St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright to the post.
“I was delighted to be linked to the job,” said Baraclough. “But to ultimately accept the role as the new Northern Ireland manager is an honour and a privilege. I couldn’t be more energised and excited.”
NORTHERN Ireland fans hope new boss Ian Baraclough can do a Gareth Southgate after the U21 head coach was named national boss by the Irish FA last night.
Association chiefs confirmed after a board meeting at teatime that the 49-year-old had won the race to succeed Michael O’Neill on an 18 month deal.
He is the latest U21 national boss to be promoted from within, following in the footsteps of Southgate who led England to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018. The FAI also recently replaced
Mick McCarthy as Republic of Ireland manager with Stephen Kenny who had held the south’s U21s post since 2018.
One source close to the process said: “Given the magnificent job Michael O’Neill did with Northern Ireland, the IFA was keen to maintain a sense of continuity moving forward.
“Ian has impressed in his three years as U21 coach, on and off the pitch, and would have been viewed as the continuity candidate with crucial Euro play-offs lurking on the horizon.”
Baraclough topped a five man shortlist that also included Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson and former St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright.
Respected duo Jim Magilton, now heading up the IFA’s Elite Academy, and former Kilmarnock boss Kenny Shiels were also interviewed.
In a short statement last night, Baraclough said: “I was delighted to be linked to the job and to ultimately accept the role is an honour and a privilege. I couldn’t be more energised or excited to get going.”
Leicester-born Baraclough, who led Sligo to their first League of Ireland title in 35 years in 2012, was in charge of the U21s from 2017.
He lost just four of 15 competitive games at the helm and masterminded a memorable 2-1 away win over Spain in a Euro U21 qualifier in Albacete in 2018.
The former QPR midfielder was set to shadow former manager O’Neill for March’s ill-fated Euro 2020 playoff in Bosnia.
And there’s no doubt his intimate knowledge of that tie gifted him an advantage over the other candidates ahead of the rescheduled shootout in Zenica in October.
He has also worked with a raft of younger players in the senior squad, including Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Jamal Lewis, Gavin Whyte, Jordan Thompson and Liam Donnelly.
He now has 10 weeks to prepare for his first games in charge – a Nations League double header in September – before that crunch clash in Bosnia the following month.
Irish FA CEO Patrick Nelson said: “Ian will help us build on recent success but also kickstart an exciting new era for the men’s senior team and the association.”