Northern Ireland fans wished Michael O'Neill well on Thursday after news broke of his departure to Stoke City.
O'Neill was confirmed as the Potters' new manager on Friday in a lucrative three-and-a-half-year deal.
It will see the 50-year-old almost double his £750,000 salary with the Irish FA.
Stoke are currently languishing at the bottom of the Championship, having picked up just two wins from their opening 15 games this season.
They will be hoping O'Neill can transform their fortunes, just like he did for Northern Ireland over the past eight years.
During his reign Northern Ireland qualified for their first-ever European Championships, and narrowly missed out on reaching last year's World Cup in Russia after losing a playoff against Switzerland.
In statement issued on Friday, chairman of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters' Club Gary McAllister said: “It’s a sad day for Northern Ireland football as Michael moves on to a new challenge at Stoke City. Undoubtedly he leaves our team in immeasurably better shape than when he came into the job.
"His work at grassroots level in overhauling the youth structure within the Irish FA, expanding the pool of players available to play for Northern Ireland and the obvious attention to detail and preparation ahead of games brought a level of professionalism and focus which earned huge respect not only from the fans, but more importantly from the players.
"The pinnacle of his time as Northern Ireland boss was of course qualification for Euro 2016 and we’ll always be thankful to Michael for leading us there. There’s never a good time to lose a successful manager, however we welcome confirmation that Michael will oversee any Euro 2020 play-off.
"We thank Michael for what he has delivered for Northern Ireland football and wish him every success."
Gary also told Belfast Live Sport: "We will be sorry to see Michael go because he has been such a successful manager, but I also think we would wish him well.
"When Michael arrived the first campaign didn't go that well and there were some disappointing results, but we could see what he was trying to implement.
"He restored belief in the players and the fans, and the highlight was undoubtedly reaching the Euros. The buzz that created in Northern Ireland, and the pride it instilled into the whole country, was incredible.
"And the win over Ukraine in Lyon was our Gerry Armstrong moment. That was definitely the pinnacle of that experience."
O'Neill rubberstamped his Stoke move on Friday and will take charge of first-team affairs on Saturday against Barnsley.
He will then return to Belfast to take charge of Northern Ireland's final two Euro 2020 qualifiers against Holland and Germany, and any potential playoff next March.
They host the Dutch at Windsor Park on November 16 in what promises to be an emotionally charged night, and complete their campaign three days later against Germany in Frankfurt.
"The Holland game is massive as it is, the atmosphere will be electric. But it will definitely be ramped up a notch or two with Michael bowing out," McAllister added.
"They are two massive games for Northern Ireland against two footballing giants. Hopefully we can get two positive results."
Fans took to social media to praise O'Neill for the success he brought to Northern Ireland's football team.
Jim Lockhart said: "I’ll be gutted if Michael O’Neill leaves Northern Ireland for Stoke City but will always be grateful for what he has done for us. A great coach and a gentleman, lucky Stoke. I hope he does well for them."
Meanwhile, Naomi Fox said: "Sad times, suppose he couldn’t stay with us forever but still it’s sad".
Michael Shaw added: "Thank you for the memories, good luck for the future."
Trevor Hawthorne said: "Michael O’Neill being professional as ever. Stoke are going to feel very lucky to have such a great manager, a manager who knows and understands the game inside out in every department. Northern Ireland v Germany will be the perfect send off for him. Forever grateful!"
Whoever follows O'Neill into the Northern Ireland hotseat will have big shoes to fill.
One of the early frontrunners is Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson while current Under 21 manager Ian Baraclough is also being linked with the job.
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