Warren Feeney believes Michael O'Neill should have cut ties completely with Northern Ireland after accepting the Stoke City job.
It has emerged that O'Neill will take charge of the international team for the remaining two qualifiers against Holland and Germany, AND any potential playoff next March.
And in another twist, it is now being reported that O'Neill could even manage Northern Ireland at the Euros next summer if they qualify.
Former striker Feeney believes trying to juggle the pressure of club and international football may come back to bite O'Neill, who has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Potters.
Former Bournemouth, Luton and Plymouth forward Feeney - who is now manager of Ards - believes any dual role will prove difficult, particularly because the pressure will be on from Stoke’s "restless" fans.
“To me you should be cut-throat about it, shake hands and just move on," Feeney told the BBC.
“Good luck to Michael because he has done an absolutely fantastic job, but let's look forward to a different process.
“I'm looking at it from a football point of view. If that was two clubs then that's the way it would be. If he has gone to Stoke, then we have to move on.
“Also, Stoke fans don't wait - they are probably one of the most restless groups of fans you can get, so it will be difficult for Michael there.”
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