MOTHERWELL have granted manager Stephen Robinson permission to talk to Northern Ireland for the national team vacancy but have "expressed in the strongest possible terms" their hope that he will remain at Fir Park.
The 45-year-old is among the bookies' favourites to succeed Michael O'Neill at Windsor Park, alongside former St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright.
Robinson has been gaining admirers for his work over the last 18 months or so, having guided the Steelmen to a third-placed finish last season. The club have excelled at producing young players ready for the first team during his spell in charge and finished as runners-up to Celtic in the 2017/18 Scottish Cup and League Cup tournaments.
The FAI have started the interview process to find their new national team manager, with Motherwell announcing that they have "reluctantly" granted permission to Robinson to begin discussions with the association.
A statement on the Motherwell website read: "We have given Stephen Robinson permission to speak to the Irish FA regarding the vacant role of Northern Ireland manager.
"On Tuesday, the governing body sought consent to interview Stephen for the job, which we reluctantly granted.
"We have expressed in the strongest possible terms that we want him to stay with us.
"The work he has done so far to take the club to two national cup finals, bring through young talent and finish third in last season’s Premiership has been exceptional.
"As we prepare to embark on a UEFA Europa League campaign, it is our hope that Stephen will stay to continue the work that has proven so successful."
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