Northern Ireland look ahead after sacking chief executive

NORTHERN IRELAND are aiming to get their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track tomorrow when they entertain San Marino amid a backdrop of change at the Irish Football Association.

The governing body is beginning its search for a new chief executive after sacking the experienced Howard Wells. IFA president Raymond Kennedy cited a breakdown in relations but stated no financial settlement had been agreed. A board meeting is scheduled for Thursday while Wells has consulted his lawyers.

Kennedy said: "It got to the stage where his job had become untenable. Therefore, in the best interests of the IFA, we took this action. There was no debating between us whatsoever. As far as I am concerned we will be moving on."

The news came out of the blue as Wells attended the World Cup qualifier in Slovenia on Saturday, where Northern Ireland lost 2-0.

Kennedy added: "We had a terrible result at the weekend. We are concentrating on our next match, securing three points and moving on in the World Cup. The result (against Slovenia] had nothing to do with this. It is a pure coincidence."

Wells became the IFA's first chief executive in November 2004 after he had held similar posts at Watford and Ipswich.