"As he looks to become the first Northern Ireland manager to take the country to a World Cup since Billy Bingham at Mexico 86, Michael O'Neill will emulate the man who gave him his international debut in a different way on Monday night. In the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Germany at Windsor Park, O'Neill will become only the second man to take charge of the national side 100 times."
"The former Stoke City and Shamrock Rovers boss, 56, has been at pains to point out that the personal milestone pales into insignificance when compared to his side's attempts to reach the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer. When allowing himself a brief moment of reflection, however, he did acknowledge that he certainly would have "bet against" racking up a century of games in the dugout during his earliest years in charge."
"Indeed, a year and a half into his reign, O'Neill still thought he "might never win a match as an international manager". After he succeeded Nigel Worthington as Northern Ireland boss in 2011, it took the 31-times capped midfielder 10 games to enjoy his first win in the job, a 1-0 victory over Fabio Capello's Russia in Belfast in August 2013. Rather than represent a turning point, however, a month later Northern Ireland were beaten 3-2 by a Luxembourg side then ranked 140th in the world."
Michael O'Neill will manage Northern Ireland for a 100th time in the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Germany at Windsor Park as he seeks to become the first Northern Ireland manager since Billy Bingham to reach a World Cup. O'Neill, 56, says the personal milestone is less important than the team's attempt to qualify for the USA, Canada and Mexico. He acknowledged he would have "bet against" reaching 100 games after early struggles, including a ten-game wait for his first win, a 1-0 victory over Russia in August 2013 followed by a defeat to Luxembourg. Just over two years later he guided Northern Ireland to Euro 2016, their first major tournament in three decades.
Read at www.bbc.com
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