Worthington favourite for N Ireland post

Nigel Worthington has emerged as a strong favourite to become Northern Ireland’s new manager.

The IFA will unveil the new manager at a 12.30pm media conference tomorrow at the Europa Hotel, Belfast.

In a statement they said: “The Irish Football Association originally planned to unveil the new Northern Ireland international manager at the beginning of July.

“However the matter progressed quickly and significant details were confirmed more rapidly than initially anticipated.”

Worthington is 5-6 on to succeed Lawrie Sanchez, according to leading bookmaker Paddy Power, with former Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock next on the list at 5-1.

However it is understood there is only a short-term contract on offer initially until the end of the Euro 2008 qualifiers in November.

The governing body have apparently targeted someone with international experience. Ballymena-born Worthington, 45, certainly comes into that category. He won 66 caps in 13 years for Northern Ireland and had a spell as captain under manager Bryan Hamilton.

Worthington had earlier dismissed speculation linking him with the job as he was Leicester’s caretaker boss at the time.

But after completing his five-match spell and seeing the club secure their Coca-Cola Championship status he was overlooked for the full-time post.

He was left out of work after Leicester appointed MK Dons manager Martin Allen instead.

Worthington first earned his managerial spurs in a two-year spell with Blackpool before taking over at Norwich in 2000.

He spent six years at Carrow Road, leading the club into the Barclays Premiership.

However they struggled on their return to the top flight and lasted just one season among the elite, before losing his job the following season.

Should Worthington get the Northern Ireland job, his first game in charge will be the Euro 2008 qualifier against Liechtenstein in August.

The province are in with a chance of qualifying for a major championship for the first time in over 20 years.

They head Group F on 13 points following the superb victory against Sweden in March.

That was Sanchez’s last game in charge. He left his post suddenly to join Fulham as manager – saving the club from relegation – after initially being installed as caretaker.

The former Wycombe boss was lured back to domestic duties after dragging the province up by its bootlaces.

Sanchez still had a way to run on his contract with the IFA, which was due to expire at the end of their participation in Euro 2008.