Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough hoping for All Ireland encounter against Stephen Kenny

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New Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough is hoping to lock horns with former fellow League of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny.

Baraclough who like ex-Derry City boss Kenny was promoted from the U21 position to the senior job and hopes his Northern Ireland side will face the Republic of Ireland in a winner takes all Euro 2020 play-off in Belfast.

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The ex-Sligo Rovers gaffer admitted that the former Dundalk boss has already been in contact with him after it was announced that he would be replacing Michael O'Neill.

“We had some good tussles as managers and you’d allow me to say I got the better of him on a couple of occasions, in a cup final (the 2014 Setanta Sports Cup) and when he was at Shamrock Rovers," stated Baraclough.

Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough hopes to face Stephen Kenny's Republic of Ireland side, in Belfast, in November,Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough hopes to face Stephen Kenny's Republic of Ireland side, in Belfast, in November,
Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough hopes to face Stephen Kenny's Republic of Ireland side, in Belfast, in November,

“But he managed to turn the tables just as I was leaving Sligo and he took Dundalk onto great things.

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“It would be nice to meet up with him in November because that would mean we have beaten Bosnia.

“Yeah and it was good to hear from him on Monday. I received a text from him. He got the job several months ago now and I immediately texted him my congratulations.

“It was strange. I said it would be good to lock horns again in November - or the possibility of it."

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The 49-year-old has enjoyed other great moments throughout his managerial career, and hopes to draw on those memories to achieve success in his new job.

"You build up experiences throughout your career. I can look back on the play-off win over Rangers (as Motherwell manager in 2015) in a two-legged game. We went to Ibrox and beat them 3-1 in their own back yard with only 300 of our own in the stadium.

"At Sligo, we achieved a lot in one-off games. You have to treat them as special occasions. You can't allow the players to get too excited, you have to keep your cool.

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“You have to think clearly, not over-complicate things, and have clear processes. The players want clarity. They want to know their role.”

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