Nigel Admits Defeat To Quit NI Team

The beleaguered Northern Ireland soccer team manager Nigel Worthington has decided that the game against Italy on Tuesday night will be his last in charge.

"I have had four and a half fantastic years working with the Irish Football Association and a lot of hard work has been put in by many people over this time to help improve Northern Ireland football," said Nigel, who was appointed Northern Ireland manager on 1 June 2007.

"I feel it is only right to give the Association and players the opportunity and time to move forward and that is why I have decided that Tuesday night's game will be my last in charge."

The former Norwich City boss (pictured) was in charge for four and a half years but failed to secure qualification for any major finals and with Northern Ireland having won just two of their last 23 games and with his team scoring only 12 goals in those 23 fixtures, the manager's time was nearly up anyway.

Mr Worthington has been the subject of criticism from some vocal NI supporters following a poor qualifying campaign and the 49-year-old's contract would have run out on 31 December this year anyway.

Now with little or no hope of Northern Ireland's qualification for the European Championship left, he has decided to call it a day early: "It has been a pleasure and I would like to wish the Irish Football Association all the best for the future; and to the supporters who have been fantastic throughout," he said.

"I understand their frustration over the last three games; but when you look at the incident in the Serbia game and the game away to Estonia, and then the game at home against Estonia, this is the fine line in football," he added.

"I would like to say a big thank to the Irish FA for their support. It is a fantastic organisation with many good people doing a great job for Northern Ireland football.

"I would like to give a special thanks to the President, Jim Shaw and the Chief Executive, Patrick Nelson for their ongoing support to help take Northern Ireland football forward."

Commenting on the news this afternoon, Irish FA President, Jim Shaw said: "I appreciate Nigel's decision on this matter and on behalf of the Association I would like to thank him for all the effort he has put in over his four and half years to maintain and improve all elements of football at the Irish Football Association.

"Both personally and on behalf of the Association I would like to wish Nigel all the very best for the future."

Mr Worthington isn't the only doubtful for the future too as players Chris Brunt and Sammy Clingan have been named today as the latest Northern Ireland players to pull out of Tuesday's final Euro 2012 qualifier against Italy in Pescara.

West Brom midfielder Brunt is sidelined with an ankle injury while Coventry captain Clingan has a back problem.

Lee Camp and Grant McCann withdrew on Saturday while Kyle Lafferty is banned.

Now, Nigel Worthington will try out a number of young players for the match.

Also, while Mr Worthington is on his way out, the former 'star' of NI's soccer days, veteran player David Healy said he does not intend to retire after the campaign.

(BMcC/GK)