Dowie wants to head North as Worthington quits

NIGEL WORTHINGTON will step down as Northern Ireland manager after tonight’s match against Italy after admitting recent results had left him no option.

Worthington, who has been in charge since Lawrie Sanchez walked away in 2007 to take over Fulham, has been under increasing pressure in recent weeks after a home defeat to Serbia was followed by back-to-back losses against Estonia.

Yesterday he bowed to the inevitable. Worthington said: “The situation is that as from tomorrow night I will step down as manager of the national team.