Michael O'Neill will continue as the manager of Northern Ireland, opting not to take the permanent position at Blackburn Rovers. O'Neill, who had been serving as interim Rovers boss since February, balanced both roles until deciding to focus solely on his national team responsibilities.

During his 15-game interim tenure, O'Neill recorded 5 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses, helping Blackburn finish 20th in the second tier, thus avoiding relegation. In a statement, Blackburn confirmed O'Neill’s decision, emphasizing his commitment to leading Northern Ireland towards qualification for the Uefa European Championships in 2028.

O'Neill expressed gratitude for his time at Blackburn, acknowledging the club's rich history and passionate fanbase. He stated, "After careful consideration, I have decided that my long-term focus must remain with Northern Ireland."

The Irish FA welcomed O'Neill's decision, highlighting his efforts in building a promising squad. Northern Ireland's upcoming fixtures include two friendlies in June against Guinea and France, followed by the Nations League campaign in September, where they will face Hungary, Georgia, and Ukraine in Group B2.

Despite missing out on Euro 2024 and the World Cup, O'Neill has revitalized the team, notably fielding an average starting age of just 22.5 years in a recent match against Italy. With O'Neill at the helm, there’s renewed optimism among fans regarding the team’s potential for success in the Euro 2028 qualifiers.