Championship strugglers Stoke City have made an official approach for Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill with a view to him succeeding the recently sacked Nathan Jones.
O'Neill has been regarded as hot property for quite some time now and the Irish Football Assocation have announced Stoke's approach in a short statement:
"The Irish Football Association has been approached by EFL Championship club Stoke City who are seeking permission to speak to Michael O'Neill about their vacant manager's position."
Speaking at Wednesday's squad announcement for Northern Ireland's upcoming European Qualifiers against the Netherlands and Germany, O'Neill addressed speculation linking him to the job:
"It is not a distraction for me. It is something that has been ongoing for a number of years, and the focus has been on preparing for next week's games.
"As I have always said, if and when a situation arises, then you look at that scenario at that moment in time. But right now, my focus is obviously on the two games that lie ahead."
Stoke have endured a terrible start to the season, sitting at the bottom of the Championship with just two league wins so far this season.
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