Fans in North keen to keep Sanchez

Northern Ireland supporters have today indicated that they would rather have Lawrie Sanchez as a part-time manager than lose his services altogether.

Fans in the province are in shock after he took over as Fulham's caretaker boss until the end of the season.

Sanchez has hinted in the past that he might be prepared to combine managing both country and club if the situation arose.

Now a fans' group believe that a dual role could be possible after he was given permission to speak to Fulham by the Irish Football Association.

Gary McAllister, spokesman for the Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs, said: "If we came to an short-term arrangement where Lawrie could do both jobs we could live with that.

"It is better the devil you know and the lesser of two evils.

"This kind of thing has been done before with Kevin Keegan managing Fulham and England.

"Mark Hughes also had a spell in charge of Wales while playing for Blackburn.

"We do not want to lose the man who has led us to the top of the group in the Euro 2008 qualifiers."

McAllister added: "It is a difficult position for the IFA as they probably have to try to keep him on board.

"But we have to look at the interests of Northern Ireland and Sanchez has made a great contribution to turning the team around.

"We are waiting to see what pans out and people should not rush to any conclusions just yet."