[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-o-neill-rejects-blackburn-to-stay-with-ni-what-it-means":61,"news-related-o-neill-rejects-blackburn-to-stay-with-ni-what-it-means-en":95,"news-related-match-o-neill-rejects-blackburn-to-stay-with-ni-what-it-means-en":26},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":39,"hostCities":40},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",-37,-20,"finished_recent",false,[41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60],"Atlanta","Boston","Dallas","East Rutherford","Guadalajara","Houston","Kansas City","Los Angeles","Mexico City","Miami","Monterrey","New-York","New York New Jersey","Philadelphia","San-Francisco","San Francisco Bay Area","Seattle","Toronto","Vancouver","Zapopan",{"article":62},{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":63,"category":64,"excerpt":65,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":66,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":70,"slug":71,"sourceName":72,"sourceURL":73,"teamId":74,"teamName":75,"teamIds":76,"teamNames":85,"title":94},"Michael O'Neill has opted to continue as Northern Ireland manager, turning down the opportunity to secure a longer-term deal with Blackburn Rovers after his successful interim spell in the Championship. The decision brings clarity to the national team setup following weeks of uncertainty and reinforces O'Neill's commitment to a project he restarted in December 2022.\n\nO'Neill's return to the international fold came after a previous stint that delivered Northern Ireland's most memorable modern achievement—qualification for Euro 2016, the country's first major tournament in three decades. Since taking charge again, he has overseen a generational shift, blooding a crop of young talents who have injected fresh optimism into the fanbase.\n\nThe 56-year-old's brief tenure at Ewood Park, where he steered Blackburn away from relegation danger, demonstrated his enduring quality in club management. It also inevitably attracted attention, with the Championship side eager to retain him beyond the short-term arrangement. However, after weighing his future, O'Neill decided that his immediate legacy lies with Northern Ireland's emerging squad.\n\nFormer Northern Ireland defender and analyst Stephen Craigan described the news as a significant uplift for the team. He noted that the progress made over the past two to three years with a youthful core—featuring players such as Conor Bradley, Shea Charles, Trai Hume, and Dan Ballard—has been a joy to observe. The continuity of the manager removes any disruption that a change might have caused to their developing rhythm and cohesion.\n\nThe psychological boost for the squad cannot be overstated. Knowing that O'Neill has belief in their potential and has chosen to stay committed sends a powerful signal. It reinforces the mutual trust built between the coach and his players, many of whom have spoken highly of his tactical input and individual guidance.\n\nNorthern Ireland's trajectory points toward a clear objective: qualification for Euro 2028, which will be co-hosted by the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Along the way, immediate tests await in June friendlies against Guinea and France, followed by a Nations League campaign in a challenging group featuring Georgia, Hungary, and Ukraine. The team also secured a World Cup play-off spot as a bonus from their Nations League promotion, adding further incentive.\n\nCraigan suggested that O’Neill’s successful Blackburn rescue act will have turned heads among other clubs. While the IFA currently has him under contract for two more years, the threat of future approaches is real. Any release clause would need to be weighed, and the former Motherwell defender argued that the association should seek to extend and strengthen the agreement, possibly removing the possibility of another loan-style arrangement.\n\nThe interim setup that allowed O'Neill to help Blackburn was a unique compromise, but Craigan believes the time has come for a cleaner separation. Either O'Neill fully commits to international management, or if a club comes calling, it would require a permanent break. Such clarity would protect both the IFA’s interests and the squad’s stability.\n\nFor the players, the immediate focus is on the summer matches, where O'Neill will be in the dugout to guide them. The assurance that the manager who has been integral to their development remains in charge eliminates any awkwardness that an interim appointment might have brought. The squad can now prepare with confidence, knowing their leader is settled.\n\nLooking ahead, the combination of a coach with proven major-tournament experience and a group of talented, hungry players offers genuine optimism. While challenges remain—particularly in adding creativity and a consistent goalscorer—the foundation appears robust. O'Neill's continuity is the cornerstone upon which the next chapter of Northern Irish football will be built. Based on reporting from BBC Sport.","news","Michael O'Neill stays as Northern Ireland manager, rejecting Blackburn Rovers contract. His decision provides stability for young squad targeting Euro 2028.","330046974877241345","326135624887177216","Championship","0","2026-05-13T15:38:26Z","o-neill-rejects-blackburn-to-stay-with-ni-what-it-means","BBC Sport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fcrmp47z0jj1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","326257664243798016","Northern Ireland",[74,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84],"326257791738056704","326222711447621632","326257661743992832","326257661551054848","326257661584609280","326257660145963008","326257808158756864","326257695210344448",[75,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93],"Guinea","France","Georgia","Hungary","Ukraine","Motherwell","Blackburn","Signal","O'Neill Rejects Blackburn to Stay with NI: What It Means",[96,136,166,197],{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":97,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":98,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":99,"slug":100,"sourceName":101,"sourceURL":102,"teamId":103,"teamName":104,"teamIds":105,"teamNames":120,"title":135},"Italy beat Spain 4-2 on penalties after 1-1 draw to set up a U17 European Championship final against Belgium, who eliminated France earlier.","338075747069464577","2026-06-04T19:28:40Z","italy-edge-spain-on-penalties-u17-euro-final-vs-belgium","L'Equipe","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FActualites\u002FL-italie-rejoint-la-belgique-en-finale-de-l-euro-des-moins-de-17-ans\u002F1681874#at_medium=RSS_feeds","326257661500723200","Italy",[103,106,107,108,109,110,111,112,113,114,115,116,78,117,118,119],"326222711401484288","326222712936599552","326222767416414208","326255039846813696","326255041625198592","326257536296554496","326257536413995008","326257537865224192","326257539844935680","326257664680005632","326257696636407808","326222711569256448","326222711653142528","326222707169431552",[104,121,122,123,124,125,126,127,128,129,130,131,87,132,133,134],"Belgium","Paraguay","Lesotho","FK Partizan","Partizani","Auxerre","Paris FC","Estoril","Parma","Estonia","Azzurri","Brazil","Spain","Anderlecht","Italy Edge Spain on Penalties: U17 Euro Final vs Belgium",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":137,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":138,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":139,"slug":140,"sourceName":141,"sourceURL":142,"teamId":143,"teamName":144,"teamIds":145,"teamNames":155,"title":165},"Italy U17 edged Spain 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, goalkeeper Lupo saving two spot-kicks, to book a U17 Euro final vs Belgium on June 7. Lupo also saved","338067843268481025","2026-06-04T19:13:51Z","italy-u17-beat-spain-on-penalties-set-up-final-vs-belgium","Tuttosport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tuttosport.com\u002Fnews\u002Fcalcio\u002Fitalia\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F04-149032827\u002Fl_italia_u17_batte_la_spagna_ai_rigori_e_vola_in_finale_dell_europeo_ecco_chi_affronta\u002F","326255039347691520","Fiorentina",[143,146,147,148,149,150,151,152,153,106,118,103,119,154],"326222712592666624","326222713054040064","326255039171530752","326255041851691008","326257536372051968","326257546220277760","326257554193649664","326222712143876096","326222712496197632",[144,156,157,158,159,160,161,162,163,121,133,104,134,164],"Congo DR","Haiti","Dinamo Minsk","Cherno More Varna","Metz","Chelsea","Perth Glory","Portugal","Netherlands","Italy U17 Beat Spain on Penalties, Set Up Final vs Belgium",{"awayTeamId":167,"awayTeamName":168,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":169,"homeTeamId":170,"homeTeamName":171,"id":172,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":173,"matchName":174,"publishedAt":175,"slug":176,"sourceName":72,"sourceURL":177,"teamId":178,"teamName":179,"teamIds":180,"teamNames":188,"title":196},"326255038148120576","Hibernian","Celtic hold constructive talks with Robbie Keane and plan discussions with Martin O'Neill as manager search continues; Rangers target Hampus Skoglund.","326257567044997120","Rangers","337875415949381633","327053940279480320","Rangers vs Hibernian","2026-06-04T06:36:46Z","why-celtic-talks-keane-o-neill-manager-search","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fcp9pd3l5mp2o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","326257567011442688","Celtic",[178,170,167,181,182,119,183,184,185,186,187],"326257539333230592","326257546153168896","326255038768877568","326255044473131008","326257590021394432","326222711535702016","326222713142120448",[179,171,168,189,190,134,191,192,193,194,195],"AC Milan","West Ham","Hammarby FF","Hamrun Spartans","Toronto FC","Sweden","Canada","Why Celtic Talks Keane & O'Neill: Manager Search",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":198,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":199,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":200,"slug":201,"sourceName":101,"sourceURL":202,"teamId":78,"teamName":87,"teamIds":203,"teamNames":214,"title":225},"France U17 face Belgium in the Euro U17 semi-final on Thursday 4 June at 13:30 CEST, live on L'Equipe Live foot. Les Bleuets aim for a fourth title after","337848745020362753","2026-06-04T04:50:00Z","france-u17-vs-belgium-kick-off-time-tv-channel-for-euro","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FActualites\u002FA-quelle-heure-et-sur-quelle-chaine-voir-france-belgique\u002F1681339#at_medium=RSS_feeds",[78,106,204,205,108,206,207,208,209,210,211,115,212,213],"326257786696503296","326222707404312576","326222767449968640","326257544295092224","326257563228180480","326257565845426176","326257664877137920","326257661421031424","326257745512632320","326257600737841152",[87,121,215,216,123,217,218,219,220,221,222,130,223,224],"Les Bleuets","Charleroi","Chad","Chapecoense-sc","Groningen","Mallorca","Montenegro","Denmark","Members","Junior","France U17 vs Belgium: Kick-Off Time, TV Channel for Euro"]