Michael O’Neill: The Northern Ireland coach is set to join Blackburn Rovers

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill is set to join Blackburn Rovers, initially in a joint-venture role until the end of the season.

Northern Ireland face Italy in the semi-final of a World Cup qualifier in March, then face Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final or friendly, depending on the result in Bergamo.

O’Neill will feature in both matches and the World Cup finals, should Northern Ireland qualify against the odds.

He could then take up the managerial position at Ewood Park on a permanent basis.

Former Northern Ireland midfielder Damian Johnson will coach O’Neill at Blackburn until the end of the current season.

If a quick agreement is reached with the Irish Football Association, O’Neill could be in charge of Saturday’s match against Queens Park Rangers in the Championship.

Blackburn currently ranks 22nd in the standings and is outside the safety zone on goal difference.

They have been without a manager since Valerien Ismael left his post on February 2, with Johnson taking caretaker charge.

O’Neill, 56, had a similar agreement with Stoke City when his first term ended in 2020, where he will combine his duties with club and country.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the Euro 2020 qualifiers and O’Neill left his position before those matches could take place.

He returned to the international team in 2022 and signed a contract until after the Euro 2028 campaign.

Northern Ireland are aiming to qualify for their first World Cup in 40 years, and their first major tournament since O’Neill led his country to the Euro 2016 finals in his first spell.

He attended the Nations League draw on Thursday, where Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia were drawn, but he did not speak to the media in Brussels.