O´Neill pulls out of Northern Ireland race

Former Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill has ruled himself out of the running to become the next manager of Northern Ireland.

The 59-year-old told BBC Radio Ulster he is hoping to return to club football sooner than later after resigning from Villa in August 2010, despite having been heavily linked with taking over his native national team after the resignation of Nigel Worthington.

Struggling sides Sunderland and Wigan have both been linked with a possible move for the former Celtic boss in recent weeks.

O’Neill said he had not been officially approached for the vacant post in Belfast, but also did not rule out one day managing the side he once captained.

Jim Magilton, Michael O’Neill and Iain Dowie have also been linked with the job after the side failed to qualify for Euro 2012.