Northern Ireland Players 'Thrilled' by O'Neill’s Contract Extension

Northern Ireland midfielder Isaac Price has revealed that the squad is in high spirits following the confirmation that manager Michael O’Neill will remain at the helm of the international team until 2032. The decision comes after O’Neill turned down a permanent managerial position at Championship side Blackburn Rovers, despite having successfully steered the Lancashire club away from relegation while balancing the dual roles.

O’Neill is set to guide his team through upcoming friendly matches against Guinea on Thursday and France on Monday, June 8, as the squad gears up for the Nations League campaign beginning in September.

Price, 22, has cited O’Neill as a pivotal figure in his professional development. The manager first called up the teenager to the senior squad in 2023, a move Price credits for launching his current career trajectory.

"He went to Blackburn and did a job for them there. We were a little bit nervous that maybe he might have taken a club role on full-time, but I think everyone’s buzzing," Price said upon rejoining the squad for the friendly double-header. "We all love playing for him, and especially for me, he’s probably been the main manager I’ve had since I started playing first-team football. He trusted me and threw me in when I wasn’t playing any real senior games at club level. He’s got a good group of players here. They’re all young, and I think he’s probably excited to keep working with us."

The relationship between the two was recently tested when West Brom, Price’s club team, faced Northern Ireland. Both sides were engaged in battles to avoid relegation during that period.

“It’s obviously a bit weird. You go from him being your international team manager to obviously playing against him, with us both in difficult positions,” Price explained. “But Michael showed how good a manager he is; he managed to keep them safe and did a great job for them for six months.”

Looking ahead, Price emphasized that the team is now fully concentrated on the upcoming fixtures. The match against France, in particular, has generated significant enthusiasm, as it pits Northern Ireland against one of the tournament favorites just before the World Cup.

“We can’t wait to play the two games. The France one speaks for itself. We’re playing against the best players in the world on a big stage,” Price noted. “They’re going to be at home, just before the World Cup, and they’ll be going there to try and win it. All the lads are really excited.”

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-01 19:02:38 UTC