Ian Baraclough is set to remain as Northern Ireland manager after being awarded a contract extension by the Irish Football Association.
The IFA board, which met earlier this week, has unanimously agreed to extend the 50-year-old’s deal beyond the end of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
And that means, barring any late complications with the terms of the new contract, Baraclough will lead Northern Ireland into the next Euro 2024 campaign.
In a short statement, the Irish FA said: “The Irish FA board has unanimously agreed to extend the contract of Northern Ireland senior men’s international manager Ian Baraclough. Contract negotiations are underway.”
Baraclough, who has won only four of his 18 games at the helm since succeeding Michael O’Neill in July 2020, said last month that he was keen to remain in the post.
“I’m enjoying it and I want to carry on,” he told the media in September. “We are making plans for the future with the Irish FA and we are heading in the right direction.”
While results have been hard to come by in the past 15 months, Baraclough has blooded a number of younger players during his time in charge
The likes of Millwall defender Daniel Ballard, Preston midfielder Ali McCann and Liverpool teenager Conor Bradley have all made debuts on his watch.
Blackpool striker Shayne Lavery, Stoke City midfielder Jordan Thompson and Cardiff City centre back Ciaron Brown have also been handed more game time.
Last month, Baraclough said: “I feel we are the start of a cycle of the next crop of Northern Irish players who can take us to a major tournament.
“If it doesn’t happen this time around, hopefully I’ll be in charge come the next Euros campaign. We are heading in that direction and I want to carry on.”
Northern Ireland, who were knocked out of contention for next year’s World Cup in Qatar after recent defeats in Switzerland and Bulgaria, have two games left in the current campaign.
They welcome Lithuania to Windsor Park on November 12 before facing Euro 2020 champions Italy at the same venue three days later.
