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O’Neill returns
Michael O’Neill is back for a second spell as Northern Ireland boss on a five-and-a-half-year deal.
O’Neill, 53, was previously in charge between 2012 and 2020 before leaving for Championship side Stoke.
He replaces Ian Baraclough, who was axed in October after narrowly avoiding relegation to the bottom tier of the Nations League.
Baraclough guided the national team to just six victories in 28 matches, with 14 defeats prompting the Irish FA to make a change.
O’Neill, who will begin his second stint in the dugout against San Marino in March, said: “I am delighted to be the Northern Ireland senior men’s manager.
“I am excited to see what can be achieved with this group of players and can’t wait to be in front of the Green and White Army at the National Stadium once again.”
A win percentage of 36% during his previous stint made O’Neill the Green and White Army’s most successful boss since 1971.
Rice sits it out
Declan Rice has given England a fitness scare ahead of Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final with France.
The West Ham midfielder, 23, was forced to sit out training today due to illness but his absence is thought to have been precautionary.
Rice has played an influential role for the Three Lions in Qatar, anchoring the midfield expertly to allow the likes of Jude Bellingham to flourish.
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson also missed training because of a minor muscle strain.
No stopping Giroud
Olivier Giroud’s wife insists he has no intention of hanging up his boots any time soon.
The AC Milan striker became France’s all-time top goalscorer last Saturday when he bagged the first goal in a 3-1 win over Poland in the last 16 of the World Cup.
Speaking to Le Figaro, Jennifer Giroud heaped praise on her hubby and tipped the 36-year-old striker to continue playing at the highest level for at least four more years.
She said: “For Olivier, to have surpassed Thierry Henry [as France’s top scorer] is an honour, something to be proud of. His path deserves respect. After all these years, I am still impressed by his resilience.
“He has a kid’s mentality and pays attention to everything to maintain his physique.
“Football is his life, he will still be talked about for a long time. He will play until he is 40, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic.”
Initially considered unlikely to start in Qatar, Giroud has deputised expertly for the injured Karim Benzema with three strikes to his name so far.
