WORTHINGTON PLANS FOR FUTURE

Worthington - grand plan.

Nigel Worthington has set a template from the age group sides to the senior team which he believes will take Northern Ireland forward.

The former Norwich manager's grand plan has been revealed by new under-21 boss Steve Beaglehole.

In Worthington's radical shake-up of the coaching network, Beaglehole will also run the under-19s while Paul Kee is now in charge of the under-17s.

Worthington wants talented youngsters to feel comfortable when they step up and Beaglehole, who will maintain his role as coach at Leicester, is excited by the challenge.

Beaglehole said: "Nigel wants the youth teams to play the same system as the senior side.

"He is not just thinking about his main job but the future of Northern Ireland as a whole.

"Nigel is keen on producing players very quickly through the ranks. It is a case of building blocks."

Worthington was keen to get the new youth coaching staff in place ahead of the World Cup qualifiers, which begin in September.

Northern Ireland have been paired with the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and San Marino.

Beaglehole will get to work with his young charges in earnest for the first time in July when Northern Ireland's highly acclaimed tournament, the Milk Cup, gets under way.

He added: "I cannot wait to get started as working at international level is something all club coaches aspire to.

"I have to thank Leicester for allowing me to fulfil this role and it should be a great experience for me."