Football
Blackburn Rovers Offer Michael O’Neill Full-Time Role After Relegation Rescue
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Sheffield United v Blackburn Rovers - Sky Bet Championship by George Wood | Getty Images
Blackburn Rovers have offered Michael O’Neill a permanent contract after he saved the club from Championship relegation, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
Our sources understand Rovers have tabled an offer for the interim boss, who joined the club until the end of the season back in February.
O’Neill still remains Northern Ireland boss and had a dual role during his time at Ewood Park.
Last month the national side failed in their quest for World Cup qualification, losing 2-0 to Italy in the play-off semi-finals.
It is understood that Rovers are willing to pay the compensation clause in O’Neill's contract and the ball is currently in the 56-year-old’s court over whether he wants the job full time.
Rovers’ 3-1 victory against Sheffield United yesterday, secured the club’s second-flight status, which looked a difficult task when he the took the helm from Valerien Ismael earlier this season.
Prior to O’Neill stepping in on an interim basis, Blackburn had been strongly linked with experienced managers Slaven Bilić and Gary Rowett as potential successors to Ismaël.
"Successful Loan" Set To Turn Permanent
Speaking on his future after staying up, Northern Irishman O’Neill said: “Relieved, more than anything else, delighted for the players, delighted for the club.”
“The club has a decision to make themselves which direction they want to go. I'm a contracted manager so the same goes for any club if they wanted me as their manager they would have to go thought the IFA and meet the terms of the release clause and I would have to want to do it.”
“This was a loan and I suppose given where we are it would be deemed as a successful loan. I'm sure conversations will happen one way or the other in the weeks ahead.”
“You can't do both, there's no way you can do both. At some point I'll have to make the decision one way or the other.”
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