Sanchez ready to extend contract

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez is poised to sign a two-year extension to his contract.

The former Wycombe boss, who celebrates a year in charge today, aims to stay on when his current deal expires after the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Sanchez is keen to lead the team in the next European Championship campaign as well.

He has already held talks with Irish FA chief executive Howard Wells and the matter could be resolved in a matter of weeks.

“I am very happy and want to continue in this job,” Sanchez told the Belfast Telegraph.

“I’ve had initial discussions with Howard and I hope to agree a new deal and extend my time for another two years.”

While Northern Ireland have made progress under Sanchez, qualifying for the World Cup finals in Germany remains a tall order.

They would probably have to beat both the top two, England and Poland, in back to back matches in Manchester and Warsaw in March to rekindle their hopes.

Sanchez said: “We aren’t out of contention but it is going to be extremely difficult now.

“However if we continue to improve I feel we will have a better chance to give qualifying a real go in the European Championships.”