- Martin O’Neill has finally signed new deal despite talking to club teams
- Republic of Ireland boss still has permission to talk to interested parties
- He is expected to outline his plans for a squad rebuild in time for Euro 2020
- O’Neill will be at UEFA Nations League draw in Lausanne on Wednesday
Martin O’Neill has finally signed on the dotted line for another two years as Republic of Ireland manager.
After much uncertainty, it was confirmed that O’Neill will be attending Wednesday’s UEFA Nations League draw in Lausanne as a manager under contract.
It is not quite lock and key as the 65-year-old continues to have the FAI’s permission to talk to interested parties. But at least the position is more clear-cut than it was 10 days ago when O’Neill met with Stoke City officials to discuss the managerial vacancy at the Premier League club.
Martin O’Neill has extended his contract with the Republic of Ireland for two more years
The Derry native will clarify today why he has engaged with clubs about jobs and whether he will continue to do so. He will also outline his plans for a squad rebuild in time for a concerted assault on Euro 2020.
Should O’Neill steer Ireland to the finals he will have completed over six and a half years in the Irish job. Only Jack Charlton, John Giles and Mick McCarthy will have been manager for longer.
After two days of talks, representatives of the FAI and O’Neill agreed the contract details which sees O’Neill, Roy Keane, and other back-room staff continue until the end of Ireland’s Euro 2020 involvement.
O’Neill is still permitted to talk to Premier League clubs despite signing the deal
O’Neill is aware Ireland can take a step towards those finals through the new-look UEFA Nations League tournament which offers four teams a back door to the Euro 2020 finals.
Ireland are one of 12 teams in League B and could be drawn against Wales, Northern Ireland or World Cup foes, Denmark. The draw takes place at 11am Irish time.
Meanwhile, Ireland will not be returning to the United States this summer but will play at home instead for the first time since the Denmark play-off last November.
O’Neill is set to sign off on a friendly at Aviva Stadium, to be played after the prestige friendly against France in Paris on May 28.
Ireland kick off 2018 against Turkey in Antalya on March 23 where O’Neill can expect to welcome back Seamus Coleman.
The 29-year-old right-back made his comeback for the Everton U23s against Portsmouth, at Goodison Park last night 10 months after suffering a double-leg break on World Cup duty.
O’Neill’s backroom staff will join him in helping to attempt to qualify for Euro 2020