Ian Baraclough is the new Northern Ireland manager. For many this will be an unfamiliar name, but those who follow local football closely will know him from his time spent as Northern Ireland’s under-21 squad manager for the last few years. In this sense, Baraclough is a natural continuity candidate from Michael O’Neill. He will have worked closely with O’Neill over recently and will be familiar with the strategy the national team has followed recently in terms of selection, in particular their recruitment of English-born players using the ‘Granny rule’. Indeed, he has already signalled his intent to convince Premier League midfielder Oliver Norwood to return from international retirement. 

Before being appointed Northern Ireland’s under-21 manager in 2017, Baraclough had a mixed spell at Motherwell, where his most memorable achievement was keeping them in the Scottish Premiership with an impressive victory over Rangers. Prior to that he managed Sligo Rovers and Scunthorpe United, having finished his playing career with the latter. 

Since his appointment as under-21 manager he has seen many players graduate to the senior squad, including Burnley goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Norwich City’s fullback Jamal Lewis and Cardiff City winger Gavin Whyte, who have all become first team regulars, along with others such as Liam Donnelly, Paul Smyth and Jordan Thompson, who have since made their debuts for the senior side. The purpose of the under-21 squad is to develop future full internationals, so in that regard Baraclough has done his job well. 

While Northern Ireland’s under 21 team have never qualified for a major tournament, Baraclough has an impressive record with the team. He led the squad to a second-place finish in their European qualifying group in 2018, missing out on the qualification spot to group winners Spain. Given his impressive record and his knowledge of several of the current senior squad he seems like an excellent choice and one which Northern Ireland fans should be pleased with. Michael O’Neill set a high  achievement bar and replacing him will not be easy but the IFA have decided to go with the candidate with a good record managing an IFA side already as opposed to the alternatives, some of whom have much more club experience. 

Baraclough will take charge of a squad heading into a period of transition. First team stalwarts Gareth McAuley,  Aaron Hughes and Chris Brunt have recently retired meaning that younger players have had to step up. He may have medium- to long-term concerns over the longevity of captain Steven Davis and vice-captain Jonny Evans, but no doubt their experience will be invaluable. The new manager will have to draw on his knowledge of the junior squad in order to improve the senior team. His under-21 captain, Liam Donnelly, has recently found success playing in midfield for Motherwell. While he has already made the step up to the senior squad it will be interesting to follow his development under Baraclough’s management again. 

The other candidates reportedly interviewed by the IFA were: Stephen Robinson, the current Motherwell manager; Tommy Wright, who was recently manager of St. Johnstone; Jim Magilton, the IFA elite performance director, and Kenny Shiels, current coach of the Northern Ireland women’s team. (It’s worth noting that a compensation package would have to have been agreed for Robinson, who is under contract at Motherwell.)

At the end of the day, though, there will likely be few complaints with the IFA’s choice. He may not have had as much success at club level like Tommy Wright, who has done a very solid job with St. Johnstone on a shoestring budget, or Stephen Robinson who has just led his Motherwell side to a finish in the European qualifying spots in Scotland, but fans should be optimistic about his recent achievements. He is already in the fold at the IFA and has worked with this squad and many of the younger players in  a very limited talent pool. He has the knowledge and relationship with the squad. This fan is certainly optimistic about his appointment. 

Baraclough will manage the team for the first time in matches against Romania and Norway in the Nations League at the beginning of September before a crucial European Championships qualifier away to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 8th October. Should they be successful here then Baraclough may find himself managing the side in a match with the Republic of Ireland at Windsor Park, should the Republic of Ireland be successful on their own qualifying fixture against Slovakia.