Ian Baraclough: Euro 2020 jealousy has fired me up to create something special for Northern Ireland again

Appointed as boss last year, replacing Michael O’Neill, Baraclough took Northern Ireland into the Euro Play-Off decider with a dramatic penalty shoot-out success in Bosnia in October only to see his team lose 2-1 at home to Slovakia the following month in a match they ought to have won.

Since then, Baraclough’s side have started their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign, losing 2-0 in Italy and drawing 0-0 with Bulgaria at Windsor Park.

While the manager had hoped to earn more points in the opening two games, the end-of-season tour, in which key players like captain Steven Davis and Jonny Evans were missing, brought encouragement for the future with a 3-0 friendly victory over Malta and a battling performance in a 1-0 defeat to Euros-bound Ukraine.

Ahead of tonight’s Wembley Final between England and Italy, Baraclough said: “I didn’t enjoy the lead up to the tournament and the start of the Euros. I didn’t enjoy switching the TV on to watch the first few games because I was frustrated and envious. There was jealousy almost and a feeling that we should have been there.

“Then I watched a few games and I haven’t been disappointed with any of the games I’ve watched. They have been really entertaining, full of attacking play throughout the group matches and knockout phase so, after the first few days, I’ve been able to enjoy it and the games for what they are. Eventually, it has been a joy to watch.”

Baraclough has been in touch with England coach Chris Powell during the tournament and watched as the English public have got behind their team, much like the way Northern Ireland did when O’Neill’s players were performing heroics at the Euro 2016 tournament in France, surprising many to reach the knockout stages.

“From what you can see, whether it is from a fan’s perspective or speaking to coaches and managers, it is brilliant to be part of a tournament,” said the Northern Ireland boss.

“I had a text message conversation with Chris Powell and he said for the nation to get behind the team and being part of that team, there is nothing better. He’s a guy I respect and has been in some very big games and for him to say that, you can feel there is something special happening.

“That’s what I want to create again for our supporters. To take Northern Ireland to a major tournament, there would be no greater achievement for me. I’ve always been determined and driven to do that and when you see a tournament like the Euros, it gives you even more drive.”

The Irish FA were wise enough to give O’Neill time to get things right with Northern Ireland. Baraclough will hope that the Association will be as patient with him should the team miss out on World Cup qualification, especially with the squad going through a period of transition following the O’Neill era.

What has been uplifting for supporters has been seeing young players such as Ali McCann and Daniel Ballard shining in the new regime.

“At international level, you only get 50 days with the players at best through the season and it takes time to get your points across,” said Baraclough. “Certainly if you are in transition where you are starting to bring young players through, it does take time.

“Unfortunately we haven’t got the pool of players that Gareth (Southgate) can call upon where you can change a Jadon Sancho with a Bukayo Saka or a Jack Grealish with a Phil Foden and that’s maybe all in one position.

“We have a smaller pool of players and we as a nation have to show patience with our young players bedding in with a really good group of senior players.

“Hopefully the summer tour gives us that platform to then springboard into the autumn World Cup games and do as well as we can and hopefully be in the shake up come November.

“There’s also longer-term goals we look at. If we can get these young players more experienced alongside the likes of Jonny (Evans) and Davo (Steven Davis) and Stuarty Dallas and Niall McGinn and all those lads who had to have that time to become the team they were in 2016, then we have to show that sort of patience and see there are going to be bumps along the road and understand that as a group.”