Stoke City has appointed Michael O'Neill as its manager but he will remain in charge of Northern Ireland for any potential Euro 2020 play-off games.
The 50-year-old Michael O'Neill will replace Nathan Jones, who was dismissed by Stoke City on November 1. O'Neill will immediately take over management of Championship's bottom club but will continue to manage Northern Ireland for their final two qualifiers and any play-off in March.
During his eight years as manager of Northern Ireland, he was able to take the team to Euro 2016 and the brink of the 2018 World Cup. Prior to his appointment by the Irish FA in December 2011, he served as the manager of the Shamrock Rovers.
O'Neill met with the Stoke players on Friday morning and took training, and will be traveling with the team for their match away to Barnsley on Saturday.
Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson said: "We reluctantly agreed to allow Stoke to talk to Michael after they met the compensation requirements. Michael has now agreed terms with the EFL Championship club."
"Naturally, we are extremely disappointed that Michael is leaving us, however we are delighted all parties have agreed Michael will be in charge of the Northern Ireland team for the games against the Netherlands and Germany and potential Euro 2020 play-off matches next March. Everyone in the GAWA [Green and White Army] family is grateful for Michael's inspirational contribution over the past eight years," Nelson added.
O'Neill is expected to almost double his current salary of £750,000 at Northern Ireland by taking the Stoke City position and is believed to have been promised significant resources to spend during the January transfer window. Currently, Stoke is ranked at the bottom of the Championship having won only two of their opening 15 games.
Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson and Northern Ireland Under-21 manager Ian Baraclough are believed to be among the contenders to replace O'Neill as the Irish FA manager.
