O’Neill’s left City hanging
STOKE CITY were last night waiting for a decision from Martin O’Neill over their vacant manager’s job.
The Republic of Ireland boss was approached late on Friday after Quique Sanchez Flores decided to stay in Spain.
A delegation from the Potteries had hoped to persuade the Espanyol chief that his future lay in north Staffordshire.
But the former Watford manager resisted their overtures, saying: “I have everything here that I need. I am and will be the manager of Espanyol.”
“I belong to Espanyol. I have a contract and I am honest with the club.’’
That left O’Neill as Stoke’s only alternative as they sought to find a quick replacement ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Old Trafford.
Interest
O’Neill was at a dinner with sports writers in Ireland on Friday but was tight-lipped on his future.
But the fact he has refused to rule himself out of the running indicates that he maintains an interest in the position.
And his hand will have been strengthened further by being third choice – behind Gary Rowett – who is staying at Derby County and Flores.
O’Neill’s new contract with the Football Association of Ireland remains unsigned and the Potters – who were looking at a £3.5million bill if they had pursued Flores – would have to pay a fraction of that to secure his release.
However, it is by no means cut and dried that O’Neill would take on Stoke, laying as they are in the relegation zone.
He knows he was third and, given he was also in contention for the job at Everton before Sam Allardyce took it, knows that the pool of managers with relevant Premier League experience is running dry.