It is understood that former Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O'Neill has been offered the Northern Ireland job.
The Irish Football Association have been looking for a new boss ever since the departure of Nigel Worthington following their failed qualification campaign for Euro 2012, with the 42-year-old O’Neill believed to head their shortlist of three for the role.
O’Neill, who won 33 caps for Northern Ireland, took Rovers into the Europa League group stage for the first time in an Irish side’s history, and has previously found himself linked with vacancies for club jobs in Scotland. He has also led Rovers to the last two League of Ireland titles.
His expected appointment could now be confirmed next week, if personal terms and requirements for his backroom staff are agreed upon.
Jim Magilton, who worked with O’Neill at Rovers, and fellow former Northern Ireland man Iain Dowie are the other men who have been interviewed for the role.
O'Neill, who has also managed Brechin City, has ruled out talk that he and Magilton might co-manage the national side, but he may consider him for a role within the set-up if he is indeed confirmed as the new man at the helm.