Norwich hold talks with Northern Ireland boss O’Neill

(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)

Norwich are keen to appoint Michael O’Neill as their new boss, and have held informal talks with the Northern Ireland manager, according to Radio Norfolk.

Having sacked Alex Neil in March, following a poor season back in the Championship after relegation from the Premier League, the Canaries have been lead by interim boss Alan Irvine who has improved results.

However, with thoughts already turning to a strong promotion push next season, the Norfolk club are putting plans in place for a more permanent appointment and see O’Neill as the perfect candidate.

The 47-year-old has been in charge of his home nation since December 2011, and steered the side to Euro 2016, their first appearance at a major tournament in 30 years, where they reached the last-16.

His exploits with Northern Ireland haven’t gone unnoticed, with Leicester speculated to be interested in O’Neill’s services when Claudio Ranieri was sacked in February, and the former Shamrock Rovers manager was rewarded with a bumper new contract by the Irish Football Association.

His new four-year deal includes a £750,000 release clause for Premier League clubs, although that figure is thought to be lower for Championship clubs, and Norwich’s new sporting director Stuart Webber won’t be put off by that sum.

Webber, who oversaw the appointment of David Wagner at Huddersfield and masterminded an impressive summer of transfer dealings at the Terriers, hopes to have a new man in charge at Carrow Road soon after the last game of the season, on Sunday at home to QPR.

Uwe Rosler and Garry Monk are two other high-profile names to have been linked with the job at Norwich, but it seems O’Neill is in pole position.