The IFA are reportedly close to bringing Michael O'Neill back as Northern Ireland manager following the sacking of Ian Baraclough.
The former Dundee United and Hibs midfielder enjoyed a successful first sell in charge of his country, leading them to the 2016 Euros where they reached the knockout stages before losing out by Wales.
That prompted the Scottish FA to try and land him as their new boss, but O'Neill opted to pen a new deal to stay with the Irish FA.
Northern Ireland also narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2018 World Cup under O'Neill's tenure, heights that Baraclough failed to reach during his 28 months in charge.
O'Neill had been performing double duties with the Irish Football Association and Stoke at the tail end of his previous stint but decided to focus his energies on the Potters when Northern Ireland’s Euro 2020 play-off was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic.
He was sacked by Stoke in August after a slow start to the season but is still revered by the Green and White Army for the job he did in revitalising the national side.
His successor, Baraclough, proved unable to keep the good times going, taking almost a year to register his first victory and was ousted in October after narrowly avoiding back-to-back relegations in the Nations League on goal difference.
Stephen Robinson, once a member of O’Neill’s coaching team, came close to landing the top job when Baraclough was appointed and was expected to be an option again alongside the likes of Tommy Wright, Northern Ireland Women’s coach Kenny Shiels and Linfield boss David Healy.
But O’Neill’s track record meant he was always likely to be first choice if interested, with both parties reportedly ready to sign a long-term deal.
The IFA has been contacted for comment by the PA news agency.
In a recent poll conducted by Belfast Live, 39 per cent of fans voted for former Stoke City manager O'Neill to take over. That was almost twice as many votes as the second-placed man, Healy.
Linfield boss Healy claimed 21 per cent of the vote, just ahead of ex-Celtic manager and Northern Ireland midfielder Neil Lennon (20%).
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