Worthington confirmed as NI boss
Worthington won 66 caps with Northern Ireland as a player
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Friday, 01, Jun 2007 03:59
Former Leicester City manager Nigel Worthington has been confirmed as the new Northern Ireland boss today.
Worthington takes charge on an initial contract that runs until November this year, which will allow him to see through the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign that has gone so well so far.
Under former boss Lawrie Sanchez, Northern Ireland have performed extremely well against top-class opposition, recording wins at Windsor Park over international heavyweights England, Spain and Sweden as well as an impressive draw in Denmark and a friendly victory in Finland.
And despite losing Sanchez to Premiership side Fulham towards the end of last season, Irish Football Association (IFA) president Jim Boyce is pleased with his new appointment.
"We are all delighted to welcome Nigel Worthington and his team to undertake this very important role at a very exciting time for the development of Northern Ireland football," he said.
"Personally, I am delighted that Nigel has responded so positively to accept this invitation from the IFA to take us through the last stages of Euro qualifying.
"These are six very difficult matches but we have every confidence that Nigel and his support staff will do his utmost to ensure qualification. I call on the Northern Ireland supporters to get behind Nigel Worthington."
Worthington, a former Northern Ireland captain, will be joined by Southampton's first-team coach Glynn Snodin and Bolton Wanderers' goalkeeping coach Fred Barber as his assistants.
"When your country comes knocking there can only be one answer and I am honoured to be given this opportunity, the nature of which is unusual," the former Norwich and Northern Ireland under-21s coach said.
"There is a good deal of talent in the squad with several younger players of quality emerging and I would like to congratulate Lawrie Sanchez and his support staff for leaving the squad in such good shape.
"I am fully aware of the enormity of the task and the expectations of the supporters. I have selected my assistant coaches from the quality of their respective experiences and in the full knowledge that we will be focused on delivering a positive outcome.
"It is never easy to step in midstream but qualifying from this group will be my number one priority in the next six months and it is a challenge I shall relish."