Why did O'Neill extend NI deal after Blackburn interest?

ByAndy Gray

BBC Sport NI Journalist

To stay with Northern Ireland or go to Blackburn Rovers for a new challenge?

Michael O'Neill has not only elected to do the former, but he has extended his contract with the Irish FA until 2032.

While his dual role with the two jobs, something that attracted a lot of attention, was doable from the new year until May, he had said it was not sustainable in the long term.

So, with two years left on his Northern Ireland contract and an offer on the table to move to Ewood Park full-time, he had a decision to make.

Ultimately, he has elected to extend his 11 years over the course of two stints as Northern Ireland manager into the next decade.

O'Neill said he had "a great offer" to stay at Blackburn and COO Suhail Pasha "did everything possible to convince me to stay".

"I just felt that it wasn't the right thing for me to step away from the Northern Ireland job more than anything else.

"As attractive as the Blackburn situation was, I just felt that I wanted to continue in this role."

The 56-year-old said it was a "different type of job" with Northern Ireland and he enjoys working with his young squad.

The likes of Conor Bradley, Trai Hume and the Charles brothers, Shea and Pierce, are headlining the new generation, but beyond that the next crop are already starting to come through.

O'Neill famously guided Northern Ireland to the Euro 2016 finals in his first stint in charge. He now has three chances under his current deal to reach another tournament finals with his new group of players.

"Obviously the opportunity to try and develop the team further and get to a major tournament is something that I think would probably supersede anything I could do in club football.

"That was a big factor in it, and the IFA were really positive about extending my contract, which I'm grateful for."

While O'Neill did not explicitly say in his press conference he would be open to another short-term dual role going forward, he also did not rule it out.

He has admitted he "underestimated" the noise surrounding him taking on both roles, and added that "probably could have done with a little less drama".

Speaking to BBC Sport NI ahead of June's friendlies with Guinea and France, he reiterated his commitment to Northern Ireland for the long term - but did say there are "clauses on both sides".

"I've signed here for four years. You do that with the intention of staying four years," he said.

"You never know what can happen in football. There's always clauses on both sides of a contract for both the IFA and for myself, but my focus is here.

"I look forward to the games next week and obviously building the squad forward into the Nations League games in September."

O'Neill says that while he doesn't "want constant speculation about my situation", it's in the nature of management in football, and he pointed to Scotland boss Steve Clarke and Wales manager Craig Bellamy also being linked to club jobs in the past.

"It's something that is happening elsewhere, it's not just happening with me.

"I'm not out there actively looking for other opportunities. There will always be speculation. It's a sign that you're doing a decent job.

"I'm just looking forward to continuing in this role and continuing to work with the IFA."

O'Neill said that the IFA made it clear that they wanted him to stay on as manager in March, and said "you always want to feel wanted as a manager".

"It was important for me that the association did that, and the players were very positive about me staying, which is good as well.

"A lot of these players I've brought through, I've given them their debuts, their international careers have been built under me in the last three years.

"We have a long journey to go on still."

O'Neill added that he had "no regrets" about taking on the dual role at Ewood Park, but deep down he knew he wanted to stay with NI.

"The experience of Blackburn was a good thing for me at that stage of my career because there are times when you're always looking at different opportunities.

"That's the nature of football. But having had that opportunity, I knew that my heart was here."

It is not just the on-pitch matters that persuaded O'Neill to stay. It was the bigger picture, too.

"In the period that I was in Blackburn, which was 15 games, you're just trying to get enough points to go over the line to keep the club safe.

"You barely get any time to have an influence in the development of the club or the academy or anything like that there. It's just full on.

"Even in the three years that I was at Stoke, it was very difficult to influence the wider side of the club."

O'Neill says he has a "wider scope" with Northern Ireland, as he works closely with Aaron Hughes, the IFA's director of football,and academy manager Andrew Waterworth to develop the next generation of talent.

"What we're seeing from our academy is that we've a number of players that are already senior international players that have come through that pathway.

"I enjoy that side of it."

Looking further ahead, while Northern Ireland will not host any matches at Euro 2028, it will likely play some smaller role at the finals.

Plans are already well under way for a new national training centre at Galgorm, with the aim of it being open in 2028, and that will provide a dedicated facility for football in Northern Ireland.

"I enjoy continuing to try and develop not just the international game, but hopefully improve the game here in general in Northern Ireland and build the best pathway possible for the young players here," O'Neill added.

"The only way for us to improve our team is through that and obviously through finding players through eligibility, which is very, very challenging as well.

"The most important thing is that I love doing this job. I'm committed to it.

"It's challenging at times, but it's very personal as well. It wasn't a difficult decision for me to stay here and to extend my deal."