Ian Baraclough was left “fairly pleased” after avoiding some big hitters in Sunday's Euro 2024 qualifying draw.
Northern Ireland will face Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Kazakhstan and San Marino in Group H.
With the Republic of Ireland handed a group including the Netherlands and France, it could have been a lot worse for Baraclough's side.
Read more: Euro 2024 qualifying draw as it happened in Frankfurt
And he believes Northern Ireland can "spring a surprise" when the 'Road to Germany' gets under way next March.
“It gives us a chance to spring a surprise,” he said.
“As a Pot 5 team, as we were for the qualifiers for Euro 2016, this group gives us a fighting chance to make a good fist of qualifying.”
Northern Ireland avoided some nightmare groups in Sunday's draw held in Frankfurt.
Scotland fell into Group A alongside Spain, Norway, Georgia and Cyprus, while Euro 2020 finalists England and Italy will play each other in Group C.
The Republic of Ireland face a mammoth challenge after they were pitted against Netherlands and France in Group B, alongside Greece and Gibraltar.
And Wales came out in Group D alongside Croatia, Armenia, Turkey and Latvia.
Northern Ireland are in one of only three groups featuring six teams.
“I think being in a group of six nations is good for us. It means we don’t have to play friendlies and therefore every game is a qualifier and there’s something on the game," Baraclough added.
"I am happy to have avoided very strong groups A, B and C in particular. Group A’s top three are Spain, Scotland and Norway, while Netherlands, France and Republic of Ireland are the top three in B. Italy, England and Ukraine are the main seeds in C.
"In our group, top seeds Denmark are a strong team and will be difficult opponents, however I believe the qualifiers against Finland and Slovenia are winnable games.
"The long journey to Kazakhstan will be testing especially if it's in June when conditions there are stifling, but it is what it is.
“I think all the teams in the group will be thinking they can beat each other.”
The 10 group winners and 10 runners-up will qualify directly for the final tournament in Germany in the summer of 2024. The three remaining spots will be completed with teams that qualify through play-offs in March 2024.
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