Michael O'Neill turns down Scotland to continue as Northern Ireland manager

Michael O'Neill has turned down an offer to manage Scotland in order to lead Northern Ireland into a fourth successive qualifying campaign.

The former Shamrock Rovers manager had been the Scottish Football Association's first choice to replace Gordon Strachan on the back of his groundbreaking work in Belfast.

49-year-old O'Neill saw his Northern Ireland side narrowly miss out on a spot at the World Cup in Russia next year following a 1-0 aggregate defeat in the play-off to Switzerland.

Scotland, by contrast, failed to reach the play-offs after a final-day draw in Slovenia saw them pipped to second place by Slovakia – a result that saw Strachan relieved of his position.

Following a protracted pursuit, the SFA were granted permission to speak with the Portadown man after reaching agreement on a financial with the Irish Football Association.

The Scots had laid a reported four-year deal on the table for O'Neill – who lives with his family in Edinburgh to sign – however he has opted to see out the remaining two years of his deal with Northern Ireland.

“Having given the matter a great deal of thought and consideration, I have decided not to take up the opportunity to become the next Scotland National Team Manager,” O'Neill said in a statement.

“It's a huge honour to be offered the position however I do not feel that this is the right opportunity for me at this moment in my career.

“I would like to place on the record my gratitude to the SFA for the very professional manner in which they conducted negotiations and I would also like to wish them every success for the future.”

O'Neill made history in 2011 as Shamrock Rovers manager when he became the first man to lead a League of Ireland side to the group stages of the Europa League.

He etched his name in Northern Ireland folklore in 2016 when, having guided Northern Ireland to the top of their qualifying group, he led his side to the last 16 of Euro 2016.