MARTIN O’NEILL HAS signed a new contract with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to continue on as Ireland manager beyond Euro 2016.
In a statement released this evening, O’Neill said he was ‘delighted’ to commit his future to the Ireland team, alongside assistant manager Roy Keane and his backroom staff.
The new agreement will see O’Neill continue on in his role through the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins in September.
“I am delighted that John Delaney and the FAI Board have extended our contracts for the World Cup campaign,” O’Neill said.
“It has been an absolute privilege to have been in charge of the Republic of Ireland national team, these last 30 months, and we go to France tomorrow in good spirits, with a strong desire to do well in the next few weeks.
“The players have done brilliantly in the campaign so far and they are ready for the big challenges ahead.”
The news comes on the eve of the team’s departure for Euro 2016, after O’Neill guided the Boys in Green to a major tournament at his first attempt.
The 64-year-old took over the reins from Giovanni Trapattoni in 2013 after Ireland failed to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil.
“I am delighted we have agreed terms with Martin and his team of Roy Keane, Steve Guppy, Seamus McDonagh and Steve Walford,” FAI CEO, John Delaney, said.
“The board of the FAI were unanimous in offering Martin and his full management team a renewal of their contracts.
“Since Martin has taken over we have achieved the objective of qualifying for the EUROs and he has lead the project in helping to develop some of the emerging talents in Irish football, including Robbie Brady and Shane Duffy, right up to the recent introduction of Callum O’Dowda, who made his senior debut last week.
“I am delighted to have worked with Martin and his team through qualification for the Euros, and I and all of the staff in the Association, look forward to working with them into the future.
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish the management team, the players and the backroom team the very best as we embark on our journey to France tomorrow for the European Championships.”
The Derryman had recently hinted that he was prepared to leave his future unresolved until after the European Championships.
O’Neill had been previously linked with the managerial positions at two of his former clubs, Celtic and Nottingham Forest.
FAI President Tony Fitzgerald added: “Martin is one of the great managers in football and on behalf of the Board of the FAI, we are extremely happy that he and the Association will continue to work together into the future.”
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