Michael O’Neill set to leave Shamrock Rovers

The former Hibs and Dundee United winger, who is understood to be interviewing for the Northern Ireland job this week, has made a big success of his time at the Tallaght Stadium, winning back-to-back League of Ireland titles and the 2011 Setanta Sports Cup, before qualifying for the Europa League with victory over Partizan Belgrade in the play-offs.

In doing so, his Rovers side became the first League of Ireland team to reach the group stages in Europe. Earlier this year he had seemed eager to extend his contract but recently admitted managing his national side was an “attractive” option. He was also strongly linked with the vacancy at Hibs recently, only for the Easter Road club to appoint his Dublin rival Pat Fenlon, who had been charge of Bohemians.

Shamrock have not confirmed O’Neill’s impending exit, but Rovers midfielder Rohan Ricketts wrote on Twitter yesterday: “Terrible news about the gaffer leaving at the end of the season. Major loss for this club in a few ways. Back-to-back leagues and the Europa League.

“I hope all you Shamrock Rovers fans give Michael O’Neill the send [off] he deserves against Spurs on Thursday night.” Rovers skipper Dan Murray told BBC Northern Ireland: “He said he was telling us so he could focus on Thursday’s game and make sure we do ourselves justice. I was pretty surprised myself because we’ve had a pretty good year but it’s one of those things.”

Meanwhile, Barnet manager Lawrie Sanchez has denied he has had any contact with the Irish Football Association about returning to coach Northern Ireland. Sanchez, who enjoyed a successful stint in charge of the side between 2004 and 2007, was reported to be on the shortlist to replace Nigel Worthington, who resigned from the post in October.

The IFA are believed to be interviewing candidates this week, with Sanchez’s name one of those thought to be under discussion. Last night he said he had not applied and had not been in touch with his former employers, underlining his commitment to the Bees in the process.

A statement on the club’s website read: “Further to the speculation that came to a head last Friday I wish it to be known to all Barnet FC supporters that I have not formally applied for the position as manager of the Northern Ireland international side and I was puzzled as to how my name seemed to appear on a ‘shortlist’.

“I want to assure Barnet supporters that I am fully committed to honouring my contact with the club, a contract that runs to the end of this season. I am enjoying managing this club and I believe we have a side that is capable of finishing in a more than respectable position in the league. Furthermore I must add that no formal contact has been made to me by the Irish Football Association.”

Sanchez’s decision to distance himself from the position is at odds with an interview he gave to BBC Radio Ulster in September when he was critical of Worthington following Northern Ireland’s defeat at the hands of Estonia and said: “I have always said I would like to finish what I started”. Sanchez, who oversaw famous wins over England and Spain, remains popular with sections of the Northern Ireland support but many fans still resent his decision to leave for Fulham while the national team were in a strong position to qualify for Euro 2008.

His negative assessment of Worthington while the former Norwich manager was still in the job was also considered by many to be in poor taste and he may have been a divisive appointment within the current playing squad.