Stoke City set to appoint Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill

Scorpy

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Yeah, he's basically going to a club in freefall. Will probably end up the same as Coleman when he left the Wales job.
 

SecondFig

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50330200

Anyone else surprised by this? He's set to double his salary but I thought he'd stick with NI until they know if they've qualified for the Euros or not. He's done a great job there.
I'm not surprised that he's finally leaving N.Ireland - I think he'd probably taken them as far as he could (and done superbly at that). I am a bit surprised that he's going to Stoke in their current plight - thought he might have gotten a better job to be honest...
 

berbasloth4

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i think its a nice job to go into, the old stoke and n ireland have similar traits hard working rough etc. if he brought that back then ya never know
 

AaronRedDevil

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Wait hes managing NI now? After managing IRE? It's like going to city from United :lol:
 

luke511

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He must be getting a wedge, he could've easily got a job in the Prem.
 

marktan

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I've always been impressed when watching NI, they've outplayed Germany in the first half in their last match. They've been desperately unlikely with firstly their group, which RI was supposed to have been in, then the results against Germany and the Netherlands, and then the fact that nations league existing meaning no third place play off spots despite the expanded Euros.

Realistically they'll need to beat either Germany or Netherlands to qualify and since that's unlikely it makes sense for him to get a job elsewhere. I think his style of football will translate well anywhere, more so then someone like Coleman from Wales, whose football more relied on having good players produce moments rather than a cohesive play style.
 

Needham

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Sun reporting that Michael O Neill rang Chris Coleman up for his advice and Coleman said, "Yeah yeah, Michael, it's a great idea to leave a country on the up and sign for a big Championship side in free fall" but Michael O Neill has absolutely no ear for sarcasm.
 

Champagne Football

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I think Michael O'Neil has been ready for a fresh challenge for a while. He deserves at chance in the professional club game.

I wonder would he be tempted to raid his old club and take a cheap punt on Jack Byrne from Shamrock Rovers?
 

Gio

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I would have thought with his record with Northern Ireland he'd be able to command a more attractive post when the time came to leave.
 

12OunceEpilogue

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Someone's sold him the old 'get us out of this current shit and you'll be well set for a promotion push next season'. They're six points from safety at this early stage, it'll be interesting to see how he gets on if he takes the job.
 

fergosaurus

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He's been appointed on a 3.5 year deal and will double his salary. Fair play to him, I thought he could do better than Stoke but if he keeps them up it will be a big achievement and will improve his reputation even more.
 

poleglass red

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Strange choice when i first seen this, then thought about it. Goes to a club seemingly in free fall, if he does well ,he's the hero. If he fails club was in a mess anyway and he's enough credit in the bank for the excellent job he's done with the north. He'd still land a decent job after that. I like him as a manager, I think he'll do well. He has a great natural gift of getting players to play to their max and play within a team context. He knows the lower leagues well as he's scouted them looking for players as possible call ups to the national team.Bit of the old school in that he's a no nonsense type that doesn't take no crap, but also very modern in that he can adapt his tactics.
 

FootballHQ

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Strange choice when i first seen this, then thought about it. Goes to a club seemingly in free fall, if he does well ,he's the hero. If he fails club was in a mess anyway and he's enough credit in the bank for the excellent job he's done with the north. He'd still land a decent job after that. I like him as a manager, I think he'll do well. He has a great natural gift of getting players to play to their max and play within a team context. He knows the lower leagues well as he's scouted them looking for players as possible call ups to the national team.Bit of the old school in that he's a no nonsense type that doesn't take no crap, but also very modern in that he can adapt his tactics.
Coleman didn't....well he got a nice made for life salary in China but that only lasted a year and he dosen't seem to be on the radar of any club in the top two divisions now.

Have nothing but respect for job he's done with Norn Iron. Qualified them for their first tournament since mid 80s, could've easily got them to a World cup but for a horrible penalty call and has them competitive in group with Germany and Holland. Apparently they should get a play off spot once all the teams are sorted out. Done this all with a very limited (and ageing) pool of players when you just look at their options to the other British sides.

Biggest thing I'd say is Northern Ireland actually play similar to Stoke back in the premier league days. Gritty, very tough to break down and good on set plays. Stoke actually have lost that identity over last 2-3 years so to stay up they need to get back to being an in your face team. Far too easy to play against now, West Brom strolled through the win on Monday.
 

fergosaurus

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2-0 up away to Barnsley and three points from safety as things stand. The five teams above them all losing. Great start for him if things stay like this.
 

Bojan11

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3 losses in a row. He should have avoided the job but looks like he’s doing a Coleman.

Stoke need a refresh.
 

FootballHQ

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I really have no idea what's going on at Stoke.

Of course obvious parallels with Sunderland but to me their squad is miles better.

Butland regular in England squad although his form has fallen off a cliff this season and I think he's a bit overrated generally.

Martins Indi a regular in defence. 5 years ago was regular in Holland side that finished 3rd at World cup and I didn't think he was that bad for them in the premier league.

Midfield you've got Joe Allen who's always great for Wales and again one of Stoke's better performers in the premier league.

Final third Sam Vokes scored today who was a decent squad striker for Burnley in the premier league. Add in someone like Tom Ince who while was never good enough at top level has had good seasons at this level for Blackpool and Derby.

Clear motivation issues and seems Michael O'Neill can't change the mentality either.
 

Paxi

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3 losses in a row. He should have avoided the job but looks like he’s doing a Coleman.

Stoke need a refresh.
Or Lawrie Sanchez, he did a good job with Northern Ireland then Fulham came in for him and he did a monumental feck with them.