Tommy Wright says he’s excited about continuing to develop Northern Ireland’s best young players after extending his contract as under-21 manager.
The contract extension means he will be in charge of the side for the UEFA U21 Euro 2027 qualification campaign which begins in September.
Wright was initially appointed to the role in August 2023 to guide the team through the UEFA U21 Euro 2025 qualifying series.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with the young players in trying to develop them and give them a taste of what international football is and to prepare them to move up to the senior squad, and to help their club careers as well,” said the former St Johnstone and Kilmarnock manager.
Ten young players were promoted to the senior squad during the last campaign.
Northern Ireland finished fourth in Group F of the UEFA U21 Euro 2025 qualifiers behind England, Ukraine and Serbia, the top three seeds in the group.
“Against the top three seeds England were the only team to beat us by more than one goal,” said Wright, a former goalkeeping coach for the Northern Ireland senior men’s team.
“There were a lot of good performances in terms of team performances and a lot of good performances in terms of individuals, and I think that was reflected in the number of players who moved up into Michael’s (O’Neill) squad throughout that campaign.
“Michael keeps apologising to me that he is going to take players, but it doesn’t bother me. I know the role that I’ve got to do. I know that it gives an opportunity for possibly an even younger player to come into the 21s.”
In the 2025-27 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying group stage his team will be facing Georgia, Germany, Greece, Latvia and Malta in Group F.
The under-21s will be taking part in a tournament in Turkey later this month and the squad will be announced on Friday.