Northern Ireland will return to UEFA Nations League B in their next international fixture, facing a side led by a player‑manager who Michael O’Neill has described as “one of the best in the world.”
O’Neill’s praise comes ahead of the match, which will see the Irish side play a team that combines on‑field leadership with coaching responsibilities. The opponent’s dual role is a rarity in modern football.
However, the Irish squad will be without their captain for the campaign, a fact that could affect the team’s on‑field coordination and leadership structure.
League B is the second tier of the Nations League, featuring national teams that are not in the top division but still compete for promotion and to avoid relegation. The competition is structured in groups, with each team playing home and away matches.
“He’s one of the best in the world,” Michael O’Neill said of the player‑manager.
<small>Source: BBC Sport — read the original story there.</small>