Tag: ONeill

Michael O’Neill: Why did Northern Ireland boss extend deal after Blackburn Rovers interest?
27 May 2026 Off

Michael O’Neill: Why did Northern Ireland boss extend deal after Blackburn Rovers interest?

By Total Football News

While O’Neill did not explicitly say in his press conference he would be open to another short-term dual role going forward, he also did not rule it out.

He has admitted he “underestimated” the noise surrounding him taking on both roles, and added that “probably could have done with a little less drama”.

Speaking to BBC Sport NI ahead of June’s friendlies with Guinea and France, he reiterated his commitment

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Michael O’Neill: Northern Ireland manager to remain in post after turning down Blackburn job
12 May 2026 Off

Michael O’Neill: Northern Ireland manager to remain in post after turning down Blackburn job

By Total Football News

Northern Ireland fans will be delighted that O’Neill has agreed to continue in his role as manager, especially given the foundation he has laid for possible future success.

He had said that he would “return to the status quo” for Northern Ireland’s June fixtures when asked about his future in March, but then said in April that a decision was still to made, which would have set alarm bells ringing.

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Michael O’Neill: Northern Ireland boss on future with Blackburn
23 April 2026 Off

Michael O’Neill: Northern Ireland boss on future with Blackburn

By Total Football News

O’Neill’s contract with the Irish Football Association (IFA) runs until 2028 and he says there will be talks with Blackburn about his future.

He will lead Blackburn into their final Championship game of the season against already-relegated Leicester on 2 May.

“Look, of course those discussions will take place, you know the club have a decision to make themselves, on what direction they want to go,” he said.

“I’m a

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Blackburn Rovers fan’s view: ‘Michael O’Neill will always have a place in my blue and white hearts’
23 April 2026 Off

Blackburn Rovers fan’s view: ‘Michael O’Neill will always have a place in my blue and white hearts’

By Total Football News

As I sat down this morning to write this, I thought about looking up the stats, some kind of in-depth analysis of our season but instead I have decided to write from the heart.

By the time Valerien Ismael exited Ewood Park I was resigned to relegation and baffled as to who would want the Rovers job.

While commentators said it was desirable, it felt for anyone considering the role

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Blackburn Rovers opinion: ‘Michael O’Neill doesn’t have magic wand’
1 March 2026 Off

Blackburn Rovers opinion: ‘Michael O’Neill doesn’t have magic wand’

By Total Football News

If the last two matches are anything to go by, it just shows that Michael O’Neill does not possess a magic wand to, in the blink of an eye, solve Blackburn Rovers’ serious issues this season.

He will have learned an awful lot so far in his four games. The euphoria of back-to-back wins followed by back-to-back defeats. Granted, six points out of 12 is clearly better than if he

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Michael O’Neill: How will he juggle Northern Ireland and Blackburn Rovers?
14 February 2026 Off

Michael O’Neill: How will he juggle Northern Ireland and Blackburn Rovers?

By Total Football News

O’Neill has been brought in at Blackburn to save the club from dropping into League One for the first time since 2018.

However, success with his club could cause issues on the international stage.

O’Neill has consistently spoken about having Northern Ireland’s players playing at the highest level, but a significant number of players will be going up against O’Neill’s Rovers to avoid the drop.

At Sheffield Wednesday, who seem

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Blackburn Rovers fans react to the appointment of Michael O’Neill
13 February 2026 Off

Blackburn Rovers fans react to the appointment of Michael O’Neill

By Total Football News

Michael O’Neill is the new Blackburn Rovers head coach after being appointed on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

The 56-year-old will continue to lead Northern Ireland for their World Cup play-off tie against Italy next month while also trying to steer Blackburn away from the Championship relegation zone.

Is this the right appointment and will O’Neill’s dual role work?

We asked Rovers fans for their views

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Michael O’Neill: Northern Ireland manager to join Blackburn Rovers
13 February 2026 Off

Michael O’Neill: Northern Ireland manager to join Blackburn Rovers

By Total Football News

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill is set to take over at Championship club Blackburn Rovers, initially in a joint role until the end of the season.

Northern Ireland face Italy in a World Cup play-off semi-final in March and then either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in a final or friendly, depending on the result in Bergamo.

O’Neill is expected to be involved for both matches and, if Northern Ireland qualify against

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Liverpool: Conor Bradley ‘ready to step up’ at Anfield says NI boss Michael O’Neill
22 May 2025 Off

Liverpool: Conor Bradley ‘ready to step up’ at Anfield says NI boss Michael O’Neill

By Total Football News

Should Frimpong come in, O’Neill believes that the dynamic of that competition will be different for Bradley than it was when vying for minutes with Alexander-Arnold.

“He provided that competition for Trent but he was trying at that point in time to dislodge a player that was very, very established at the club, a much-loved player and a player that had been very successful at the club,” he added.

“I

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West Ham v Wolves: Lopetegui or O’Neill – who is closest to getting the sack?
9 December 2024 Off

West Ham v Wolves: Lopetegui or O’Neill – who is closest to getting the sack?

By Total Football News

Could Lopetegui’s final West Ham game come against his former club? The Spaniard left Wolves on the eve of last season after being frustrated at not being able to sign anybody.

After almost a year out of work he became West Ham manager on 1 July, taking over from David Moyes.

Moyes had led West Ham into Europe for three consecutive seasons, and won the Europa Conference League, but some

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