"I just want to make this extremely clear, Sammy McIlroy is manager of Northern Ireland and shall remain so," Boyce said. "Even if Barcelona, Real Madrid or Manchester United wanted to make him their new manager, he would remain.
"I heard the rumour of Stoke's interest and quickly spoke to Sammy and he has assured me there's nothing in it. With the respect we have for each other I know he is telling the truth. So now I want to lay this to rest and assure all fans that Sammy McIlroy will be the Northern Ireland manager for the Euro 2004 qualifying campaign and hopefully beyond."