Arsenal's assistant manager, and former Northern Ireland international Pat Rice has turned down the chance to return to Belfast to manage his country.

He was interviewed last week by the IFA, and is believed to have been offered the position on a part-time basis. But Arsenal refused to let him reduce his responsibilities at Highbury.

'I could never imagine leaving the fabulous job that I have at Highbury,' he told the Press Association, 'but I told Arsene I had to speak to Northern Ireland because it was an honour and a privilege to be asked.'

Sammy McIlroy - formerly of Man U, now boss of Macclesfield - is now a racing certainty to get the job. And according to some sources, it's already a done deal.