, Stoke City make official approach for Northern Ireland boss

Stoke City make official approach for Northern Ireland boss

Struggling Stoke City have made an official approach for Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill.

The Potters have been linked with a number of managers after sacking Nathan Jones following a dismal start to the season which has left Stoke rock bottom of the Sky Bet Championship.

Steve Clarke and Derek McInnes have both been touted for the role and the Irish Football Association (IFA) has now confirmed that Stoke have asked about the possibility of speaking to Northern Ireland gaffer Michael O’Neill.

In a short statement reported in the Irish Times, the IFA said: “The Irish Football Association has been approached by the EFL Championship club Stoke City who are seeking permission to speak to Michael O’Neill about their vacant manager’s position.”

O’Neill has been manager of the Northern Irish national side since 2011 and succeeded in taking the country to its first major tournament in 30 years after qualifying for Euro 2016.

Prior to that, O’Neill spent two years at Scottish side Brechin City before taking the managerial hot-seat at Shamrock Rovers.

Stoke have only been able to pick up eight points from a possible 45 this season in the Sky Bet Championship with Welshman Jones sacked by the board last week.

Former player and long-throw specialist Rory Delap is acting as caretaker manager and he will be busy preparing the squad for a crucial bottom-of-the-table clash against Barnsley at Oakwell.

The Tykes, who also sacked their manager David Stendel in October, sit one point and one place above the Potters in 23rd and will be hoping to build on last week’s 2-2 draw at home to Bristol City.

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