Worthington pens new deal
Nigel Worthington took charge when Lawrie Sanchez left for Fulham
Friday, 18, Jan 2008 08:52
Nigel Worthington has agreed a two-year deal to manage Northern Ireland.
The ex-Norwich boss will lead the province in their bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
The Ulsterman, who took over from Lawrie Sanchez in June last year, said he was always confident he would take over long term.
"The conversations have been going for the last month or so, we've been discussing things and getting everything right on both sides," Worthington said.
"That's all sorted and we're just looking forward to the next two years.
"The situation was that I went in for six games at the tail end of the European qualifiers and I was very pleased with the way things went on the whole there, and both parties were quite happy to continue thereafter."
Worthington's side will battle with Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia and San Marino to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa.
The 46-year-old said he was optimistic that Northern Ireland would end their 24-year drought in qualifying for a major competition.
"It's a hard group but you can always get harder, and you can always get easier," Worthington added.
"It's a good group, it will be a very competitive pool and Czech Republic are obviously the big boys and favourites for qualification.
"But we like a fight, we'll meet the challenge head on and look forward to it."
Under Worthington Northern Ireland beat Denmark, drew against Sweden, and lost to Spain, Latvia, and Iceland to miss out on qualifying for 2008.
Worthington will start with a friendly against Bulgaria at Windsor Park on February 6th, with Georgia visiting Belfast in March.