IFA: 'Nobody has been offered NI job'

Irish Football Association chief executive Patrick Nelson has denied reports claiming that Swansea City boss Brendan Rodgers was offered the Northern Ireland managerial vacancy.

Reports emerged earlier this week suggesting that the 38-year-old had turned down the chance to become Nigel Worthington's successor on a part-time basis.

"I won't talk about individuals but what I can tell you is that nobody has been offered the job," Nelson told the Belfast Telegraph.

"[Whether the manager should be full-time] is a difficult one to answer because strictly Nigel wasn't working absolutely full-time.

"He was employed as the manager of our international team and there wasn't a need for him to be sitting in the IFA offices from nine to five every day. He was also on a particular pay structure. Ultimately we are open to do what is right for the international team."

It is understood that former Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez is in contention to return to the helm of the national side.