Ron Atkinson has emerged as a leading contender for the position of Northern Ireland manager, made vacant following the surprise sacking of Bryan Hamilton on Thursday night.

Atkinson (57) is anxious to return to management, but is reluctant to take on day-to-day duties, making the Irish job a clear attraction. It is understood that the Northern Ireland FA are also seeking someone of Atkinson's charismatic nature to try to lift morale among the players following the disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign.

Atkinson left his last managerial position nearly a year ago when he moved `upstairs' at Coventry City to become the club's director of football, handing over team affairs to Gordon Strachan.

But Atkinson became disillusioned at Highfield Road by his distant position, and left the Premiership club by mutual consent when his contract expired in the summer.

Although Atkinson would not commit himself last night on the Irish vacancy, he hinted that he was ready for a return to football. He said: "My media work is keeping me very busy, but I still love the game and if the right offer came along I might be tempted back into management."

Earlier the IFA said they would consider employing a non-Ulsterman as Hamilton's replacement. "We are looking for someone with European experience and will be casting our net very wide," said the IFA president, Jim Boyce. "It is possible that the manager may come from outside Northern Ireland."

Boyce said an appointment was unlikely to be made before Christmas. Hamilton's assistant Gerry Armstrong has also been dismissed.

Martin O'Neill, one of those mentioned in connection with the £50,000-a-year vacancy, did not want to say too much, but the speculation alone sent his club's shares plummeting on the first day of their Stock Market flotation.

Shares instantly dropped 16p in value on the £1.10 opening trading price.

O'Neill said: "I would like to say that I am stunned that I can have an effect on the Stock Market. But I would rather not make any comment about the Northern Ireland situation at this stage because I don't know the ins and outs of what would be involved."

Hamilton said the phone call from the IFA came out of the blue and he disputed their reasons for dismissing him. "They just came on the phone and said they felt it was time for a change," he said.