Michael O'Neill is set to lead Northern Ireland into Euro 2020 should they qualify, despite taking charge of Stoke City last week.

Sportsmail understands that candidates to replace O'Neill believe they would have to wait until after the finals to take over should the team make it through, and that is acting as a deterrent to some of those in the frame.

Sources have suggested that any manager currently in a job is extremely unlikely to commit to an agreement that would see them made to wait 10 months for a competitive fixture.

Michael O'Neill is ready to lead Northern Ireland at Euro 2020 should they qualify for it

Concerns have also been raised about O'Neill losing his job at Stoke before his new part-time role with the national team is over.

O'Neill was appointed Potters boss on the understanding he remained with Northern Ireland for the forthcoming qualifiers against Holland and Germany.

It was also confirmed he would return for a potential play-off in March, as is likely to be their destination.

O'Neill was appointed as Stoke City manager last week as the successor to axed Nathan Jones

However, we have now been told it is expected O'Neill will still be the manager should they qualify for next summer's finals, which are to be staged across the continent.

The Irish FA said they had 'nothing to add' when approached by Sportsmail.

O'Neill won his first match with Stoke on Saturday as a 4-2 victory at Barnsley lifted them off the bottom of the Championship.

Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson is favourite to replace O'Neill with St Johnstone's Tommy Wright, Linfield's David Healy and Coleraine's Oran Kearney also under consideration.