Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy has been given permission to talk with Stockport County about taking over the vacant manager's position at Edgeley Park.
The second division side dismissed Carlton Palmer on September 19th with John Hollins taking over on a caretaker basis soon after.
McIlroy's side endured a miserable Euro 2004 qualifying campaign, failing to find the net in their eight matches. They were beaten 1-0 in Greece in their final qualifying match last Saturday.
McIlroy, a former Manchester United player, took charge of Northern Ireland following the departure of Brian Hamilton in 1999.
He made his name as a manager by steering Macclesfield from the Conference to the Second Division but his Northern Ireland side won just five of his 29 games in charge.
PA
