Michael O'Neill ‘to take charge’ of Blackburn while leading Northern Ireland

In partnership with

OffsAIde

·13 February 2026

Michael O'Neill ‘to take charge’ of Blackburn while leading Northern Ireland

Michael O'Neill could combine his Northern Ireland job with a short-term role at Blackburn Rovers, who are fighting relegation.

According to the BBC, the 56-year-old could take charge until the end of the season, running the national team in midweek and the club at weekends.

OneFootball Videos

Blackburn, from the north of England, sit at the top of the Championship relegation zone in England's second tier.

O'Neill is open to the move, which would hand him a dual challenge, as Northern Ireland still have a route to the 2026 World Cup. They face Italy in a play-off semi-final in March and, if they win, would meet Wales or Bosnia for a place in America.

Any arrangement would require approval from the Irish federation. If granted, O'Neill could be in the Blackburn dugout on Sunday for the trip to London to face Queens Park Rangers.

Source: L'Équipe