Michael O’Neill: Northern Ireland boss joins Blackburn Rovers and will continue with national team

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has been appointed Blackburn Rovers boss until the end of the season in a move that will see him juggle both roles.

Confirming the appointment on Friday, Blackburn said interim boss Damien Johnson will be in the dugout for Saturday’s Championship game against Queens Park Rangers with O’Neill watching in the stands.

O’Neill’s backroom team at Ewood Park includes his former Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis and ex-Blackburn and Manchester United defender Phil Jones.

In addition to leading Blackburn’s efforts to avoid relegation to League One, O’Neill will also be tasked with preparing Northern Ireland for next month’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Italy.

If Northern Ireland win in Bergamo on 26 March, they will face Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in a play-off final five days later.

O’Neill thanked the Irish FA for «their support and co-operation in allowing me to take this opportunity».

«Blackburn Rovers is a historic Premier League-winning club with a proud tradition, and the chance to work at a club of that stature is one I felt was important to embrace,» said 56-year-old O’Neill.

«The immediate focus is clear – there is a challenge ahead in the final stretch of the season and the objective is to help the team build momentum and climb the Championship table.»

He added: «For now, my focus is on giving everything to Blackburn Rovers in the weeks ahead.

«I understand what this club means to its supporters and I am looking forward to working with the players and staff to deliver performances the fans can be proud of.»

Blackburn are 22nd in the Championship table, one place from safety on goal difference.

They were without manager since Valerien Ismael left his role on 2 February, with Johnson taking interim charge.

O’Neill had a similar agreement – combining duties with club and country – with Stoke City when his first spell as Northern Ireland manager came to a close in 2020.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the Euro 2020 play-offs and O’Neill left his role before those games took place.

He took charge of 143 games for Stoke, guiding them to safety in the Championship in his first season.

After being sacked by Stoke in August 2022, he returned to Northern Ireland, signing a contract that runs until after the Euro 2028 campaign.

Northern Ireland are aiming to qualify for a first World Cup in 40 years, and a first major tournament since O’Neill guided his country to the Euro 2016 finals in his first spell.

O’Neill also managed Brechin City and Shamrock Rovers before starting his first stint with Northern Ireland in 2011.

Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson said it was a «progressive move» and added the move has been structured «to ensure that the national team’s preparation and planning remain unaffected».

«Michael remaining active on the grass during this period can only enhance the level of our preparation for the play-off,» said Nelson.

«We are assured that, following four months of preparation, everything remains on track, and our focus is firmly on ensuring the squad is ready between now and kick-off in Bergamo. Michael will be using his downtime productively by being in and amongst the cut and thrust of elite-level football.

«With a World Cup play-off on the horizon, we are confident this experience will only strengthen his preparedness ahead of such a key fixture.»

When John Eustace left Blackburn to join Derby County a year ago, Rovers were fifth in the Championship with 14 games left.

Fast forward a year and they have have taken 50 points from 45 league games and are in need of help and experience to get themselves out of a precarious position.

At the start of the week, the smart money was on Gary Rowett succeeding Ismael, but by Wednesday, he was out of contention.

Rovers turned their attention to a head coach already in work but with Championship experience.

There will be supporters of Northern Ireland and Blackburn Rovers who feel that Michael O’Neill can’t devote his undivided attention to two roles at the same time.

He could lead his nation to the World Cup and keep the club in the second tier, but if your glass is half-empty, he might succeed in neither.

What happens at the end of the domestic season will be intriguing, with Rovers calling his arrival «an initial short-term arrangement».

Which role does he see as the one with the biggest future? Time will tell.