Overview
- Blackburn and the Irish FA, which issued statements Tuesday, confirmed O’Neill will stay with Northern Ireland rather than take the Rovers job.
- Appointed in February, he took 20 points from 15 matches (five wins, five draws, five defeats) to keep Blackburn 20th and safe from relegation.
- Blackburn said it has begun recruiting a permanent head coach, with bookmakers and reports naming Gary Rowett, David Wagner, Slaven Bilic and Tony Mowbray as early candidates.
- Press Association reporting says he has discussed a new deal with the Irish FA, though no agreement has been announced and his current contract runs until 2028.
- Local coverage described supporter shock at the call, and the club now has a summer window to make a more strategic appointment after recent reactive, mid-season changes.