Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill is set to take charge of struggling Championship side Blackburn.
The understands the deal will initially be on a joint basis, with O’Neill juggling Rovers’ scrap against relegation with preparations for Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final away to Italy in March.
Should Northern Ireland beat the odds to win that match O’Neill would also take charge of the subsequent play-off away to either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina and, if they advance, the tournament itself in the summer.
The arrangement mirrors the one which saw O’Neill take charge of Stoke in late 2019 while initially remaining as Northern Ireland manager.
O’Neill had been due to take charge of Northern Ireland’s Euro 2020 qualifying play-offs in March 2020 alongside his duties with the Potters, although the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic saw him leave the job before the fixtures took place.
O’Neill could be in charge for Blackburn’s trip to QPR on Saturday if the deal is completed quickly.
The 56-year-old was in Brussels on Thursday night for the UEFA Nations League draw – which paired Northern Ireland with Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia – but did not speak to media.
Blackburn sit 22nd in the Championship, level on points with Leicester above them with a game in hand.
Former Northern Ireland midfielder Damien Johnson has been in interim charge at Ewood Park since Valerien Ismael was sacked on February 2.
O’Neill helped guide Stoke away from trouble after joining in mid-season in 2019, and the next two campaigns ended with mid-table finishes before he was sacked in August 2022 following a poor start.
He subsequently returned for a second spell as Northern Ireland manager in December 2022. The World Cup qualifier against Germany in October was his 100th match in charge of the national team.
Northern Ireland are aiming to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years. It would be their first major tournament since O’Neill led them to Euro 2016.
