The temporary arrangement that saw Sanchez take charge at Premiership strugglers Fulham which the Irish Football Association were reluctant to agree to has been made permanent.

The lure of day to day management and the finances put up by Fulham chairman Mohammed Al Fayed was too much for the former Wycombe Wanderers manager.

Sanchez has been put on a rolling ‘indefinite’ contract now that he has secured Fulham’s place in the top flight. He is looking forward to the challenges that will face him next season. Sanchez has spurned the opportunity of being the first manager to take Northern Ireland to a major Championship finals for more than twenty years.

Jim Boyce and the IFA have to search for a suitable replacement to guide who can guide them Euro 2008 qualification.