Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland future on IFA board meeting agenda

By Sky Sports News

Image: Michael O'Neill's future will be considered at an IFA board meeting on Friday

Michael O'Neill's future as Northern Ireland manager is on the agenda at an Irish FA board meeting on Friday, Sky Sports News has learned.

O'Neill has emerged as a candidate for a number of managerial vacancies, and Sky Sports News reported on Thursday that the Scottish FA had approached the IFA for permission to talk to O'Neill over replacing Gordon Strachan.

The 48-year-old is understood not to be interested in taking over from Simon Grayson as Sunderland boss, although being flattered by the interest in him from the Sky Bet Championship side.

Sky Sports News understands a new Northern Ireland contract offer for O'Neill will also be discussed, coming after his side was knocked out 1-0 on aggregate by Switzerland in the World Cup European play-offs.

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright is understood to be a favourite with the IFA to take over should close friend O'Neill leave his role.

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Wright worked under O'Neill as a goalkeeping coach before taking over at McDiarmid Park and said on Thursday managing his country would be like reaching the pinnacle.

He said: "Anything linking me to the job is purely speculation because the Northern Ireland job isn't available right now. And it is speculation about a job my best friend is in.

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Image: St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright could be a candidate to take over from O'Neill

"It would be a natural progression for any manager with ambitions to see your own national team job as the most important one of them all.

"Northern Ireland have a brilliant manager at the moment and I have been linked with managerial jobs before. But I think this is different. If you are a player I believe the pinnacle is international football. I know some people don't believe that nowadays but I do."

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