Baraclough confirmed as new NI boss - calls on team to build on O'Neill success

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Ian Baraclough - looking forward to the NI challenge.

Q Radio Sport

Ian Baraclough has been appointed as the new manager of Northern Ireland.

The former Motherwell, Scunthorpe and Sligo manager steps up from his role of under-21 boss to succeed former head coach Michael O'Neill. 

The Leicester-born 49-year-old has been given an 18-month contract to take in the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

His first games in charge are in the Nations League this September before a Euro qualifying play-off semi-final away to Bosnia-Herzegovina in October.

Victory there would set up a possible final against the Republic of Ireland in Belfast the following month.  

Baraclough becomes only the second Englishman to take charge of Northern Ireland, but the Irish Football Association will hope he offers some continuity following the success of O'Neill who appointed him U21 boss in 2017.

In his first interview, Baraclough has said he wants to build on the achievements of the O'Neill era:

 

Ian Baraclough with Michael O'Neill after he was appointed NI U21 manager in 2017.

After the managerial announcement on Saturday night, the IFA was hitting the headlines again on Sunday with reports it paid out around £2 million in compensation to a former English schoolboy international following an injury he sustained in 2013 while playing for England against Northern Ireland in an under-16 game. The association has only said: "The Irish FA can confirm this matter has been concluded."

Another new title is being celebrated at Windsor Park.

As expected, Linfield have been crowned Irish League champions.

It's after the Danske Bank Premiership was cut short due to Covid-19 with seven games remaining.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Glentoran have been exonerated in a NIFL investigation.

An issue was raised by the Irish FA's licensing committee.

The Glens have welcomed the decision but chairman Stephen Henderson has added: "We are justifiably angry about the leaking of this information from someone in a position of authority from outside the club.

"This has led to unwarranted press speculation and intrusion, provided fuel for the usual suspects on social media and probably most damaging of all to the integrity of the game, it has been used slanderously as leverage in player negotiations by a rival manager."

 

Finally, Institute intend to challenge their relegation from the Premiership:

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