Sanchez out to make a difference

Lawrie Sanchez today vowed to carry on producing shock results after being confirmed as the new Northern Ireland manager.

Sanchez is best remembered for his FA Cup-winning goal for underdogs Wimbledon against Liverpool at Wembley in 1998, and also steered Wycombe to the semi-finals of the same competition in 2001.

The 44-year-old admitted it was a shock to be given the job after negotiations between favourite Jimmy Nicholl and the Irish Football Association (IFA) broke down.

“The one thing that I’ve got is that I pull off upsets, and the first one is that I’m sat here today,” Sanchez told a press conference.

“And now during this (World Cup) qualifying period I expect to pull off a few more. I hope I get the time to prove myself in results.”

IFA President Jim Boyce admitted Nicholl had been approached before Sanchez got the job, adding: “It is no secret that Jimmy Nicholl was approached by the Association.

“We offered what we consider to be a very good package and unfortunately negotiations broke down, not only with Jimmy Nicholl, but with Dunfermline.

“There were substantial differences and following a tremendous interview on Monday, the International Committee had no hesitation in recommending Lawrie Sanchez be the new team manager.”

Sanchez conceded he faced a tough task after a run of 13 games without a goal.

“I think it’s one of the toughest jobs in world football; 13 games without a goal and 14 without a win,” he said.

“I fully intend that by the time I leave our world ranking will be a lot higher. I have three priorities; one to score, two to win a game and third to improve the world ranking.

“I’m very proud and extremely honoured to be the manager of Northern Ireland and I will do my best in this post.

“I played three times for Northern Ireland and my one disappointment is I didn’t get more caps.”