Michael O’Neill extends stay as Northern Ireland manager with new four-year deal
By Ian Parker, Press Association
Michael O’Neill has signed a new four-year contract to extend his stay as Northern Ireland boss just two weeks after turning down an offer from Blackburn Rovers.
O’Neill, 56, finished the season juggling dual roles with Northern Ireland and Blackburn and entered talks with the Championship club over extending his stay at Ewood Park after guiding them to safety.
But having turned down Rovers to stay in international football O’Neill has finalized a deal with the Irish FA that runs until 2032.
#MON2032 ð
We are delighted to announce that senior men’s manager Michael O’Neill has signed a new four-year contract extension, keeping him in charge until 2032 ð¤ðð¤ #GAWA pic.twitter.com/peH4WNkTeo— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) May 27, 2026
“This is a role that means a great deal to me,” O’Neill said.
“I continue to believe strongly in the potential of this group of players and the direction we are moving in. There is a lot of work ahead, but I am excited by the future.”
O’Neill is in his second spell as Northern Ireland boss, with a friendly draw against Wales in March his 104th match in charge.
The highlight of his tenure was leading the nation into Euro 2016, and there are now genuine hopes that a young, talented squad is capable of returning to a major tournament at the Euros in two years’ time.
O’Neill’s commitment will be welcomed by the Irish FA, who had feared losing him for a second time when he accepted the role with Blackburn in February – an announcement that stunned many Northern Ireland fans as it came just a few weeks before their World Cup qualifying play-off away to Italy.
O’Neill, first appointed as Northern Ireland boss in 2011, left for Stoke in early 2020, but returned to the role in 2022.
Announcing his new deal, IFA president Conrad Kirkwood said: “Michael has made a massive contribution to Northern Ireland so far. I am delighted that he will continue that work into the future and I look forward to more memorable achievements for the team in the future.”
After his new contract was announced, O’Neill named a 23-strong squad for next month’s friendlies against Guinea and France, handing first call-ups to Everton youngster Braiden Graham and Arsenal prospect Ceadach O’Neill, both 18, in a squad which is missing several senior players.
Defenders Paddy McNair, Dan Ballard, Terry Devlin, and Eoin Toal are all unavailable, as are goalkeepers Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Conor Hazard, midfield pair George Saville and Brad Lyons, and forward Dion Charles, while Liverpool’s Conor Bradley remains a long-term absentee.
Liverpool teenager Kieran Morrison keeps his place from March as he hopes for an international debut, as does Blackburn defender Tom Atcheson, who earned his first cap against Wales last time out.
Northern Ireland will face Guinea in Cadiz, Spain, on June 4th before heading to Lille to take on World Cup-bound France on June 8th.
