O'Neill 'committed' to NI but doesn't rule out future dual role

Michael O'Neill says he is "100% committed" to Northern Ireland after he signed a new four-year contract with the Irish FA, but he has not ruled out another dual role in the future.

O'Neill had been appointed interim Blackburn Rovers boss in February and had been balancing this role with his position at Northern Ireland, who lost to Italy in the World Cup play-offs in March.

However, it was announced earlier in the month that he would not be taking on the Blackburn job on a permanent basis.

On Wednesday, the IFA confirmed that O'Neill had extended his current contract by four years until 2032.

When asked if he would consider taking on a short-term dual role again in the future, O'Neill did not rule it out as he said: "That's not a question I need to answer at this minute", adding it was "hypothetical".

O'Neill said that he did not "have any regrets" about taking on the role with Blackburn, but admitted he "probably could have done with a little less drama".

"I said all along, I didn't think it would affect our preparation for the Italy game, which it didn't," O'Neill said.

"I managed to keep Blackburn up, which was the remit of the job.

"I probably think that maybe I underestimated the reaction to it a little bit, but ultimately that's a learning experience for me as well."

O'Neill added that he "always had the intention to come back" to Northern Ireland and says he is "committed" as he prepares to lead the team into the next campaign.

The 56-year-old has managed Northern Ireland for 104 games across two spells, including at the 2016 Euros, which was their first major tournament appearance in 30 years.

"This is a role that means a great deal to me," O'Neill said.

"I continue to believe strongly in the potential of this group of players and the direction we are moving in.

"There is a lot of work ahead, but I am excited by the future."

O'Neill will be aiming to bounce back with his young squad after their play-off defeat by Italy ended their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Northern Ireland play Guinea in an international friendly on 4 June before travelling to face France four days later.

O'Neill confirmed his squad for those games on Wednesday with uncapped teenagers Braiden Graham and Ceadach O'Neill included for the first time.

Northern Ireland's next competitive fixtures come in September as they begin their Nations League campaign, and have been drawn against Hungary, Georgia and Ukraine in Group B2.

O'Neill was first appointed manager of Northern Ireland in 2011 and led the side for eight years before leaving to become permanent Stoke City boss after initially combining the role with his NI position.

He rejoined following his departure from Stoke in 2022 and has been manager for a total of 11 years over the two spells.

During his second tenure in charge, the side failed to qualify for Euro 2024 but finished top of League C3 of the 2024-25 Nations League with three wins, two draws and just one defeat.

O'Neill has had to rebuild his squad since his return with younger players such as Conor Bradley, Shea Charles and Isaac Price becoming key figures in the promising team.

He will now attempt to guide the side to qualify for the next major tournament, the Euros in 2028 which is being staged across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

While immediate uncertainty surrounding O'Neill's Northern Ireland future was brought to an end with a statement earlier in May, a contract extension is official confirmation of a renewed commitment in the longer term.

Whether the Irish FA or O'Neill will admit it or not, the dual role with Blackburn Rovers, especially at such a crucial time with World Cup play-offs, did provide some distraction and unnecessary outside noise.

But having signed a new contract, O'Neill and his young, growing group of players can have their full focus on trying to reach a major tournament.

Italy may have had too much for Northern Ireland in the play-offs, but the trajectory of the team is clear and, if key players can stay fit, then qualification for Euro 2028 is not out of the question.

In his 11 years in charge over two spells, O'Neill has provided some of the greatest moments in the history of football in Northern Ireland and now the path is clear to create some more - starting with a bid to reach the Euros.