Sanchez to see out Northern Ireland contract

Lawrie Sanchez has told the IFA he intends to see out his contract with Northern Ireland despite becoming Fulham’s caretaker manager.

The former Wycombe boss has moved in at Craven Cottage until the end of the season following the shock sacking of Chris Coleman.

Sanchez’s decision to join the Barclays Premiership strugglers has led to fears in the North they might have seen the last of the man who has led the team to the top of Group F in the Euro 2008 qualifiers.

However IFA chief executive Howard Wells says those fears are groundless.

“He has given a commitment to me with regards to seeing out his contract with Northern Ireland,” Wells told the BBC.

“Fulham have also given a commitment to me this is an appointment for the remaining five matches until the end of the season.”

Sanchez, however, might consider managing both club and country if his short spell at Fulham is successful and they avoid relegation.

He is clear of international commitments until August when Northern Ireland restart their qualifying campaign against Liechtenstein at Windsor Park.

Wells said: “If circumstances change they (Fulham) will want to discuss things further with us.”

The change of personnel at the relegation-threatened club was announced late last night and Wells added: “Fulham have gone through the right process. They rang me last night seeking permission to speak to Lawrie. Lawrie then spoke to me to ask what our view was.”

Sanchez’s first match in charge will be on Saturday when they face his former club Reading.

Under his stewardship, Northern Ireland have shot up the world rankings and are in with a good chance of qualifying for a major tournament for the first time since the 1986 World Cup.