Northern Ireland manager Bryan Hamilton was last night sacked by the Irish Football Association after leading what was described by one official as "the most disastrous World Cup campaign ever".

IFA President Jim Boyce paid tribute to Hamilton's attempts to extend the team's appeal to the nationalist community over the last three years but said that a change was needed and that a new manager would be appointed next year.

Hamilton, who was appointed in February 1994, was in charge for 31 games of which his team won only eight but with leading players repeatedly unavailable for big games and some unrest within the squad, the 50-year-old had employed youngsters to good effect and achieved some encouraging results during the qualifying campaign, most notably the 1-1 draw with European champions Germany in Nuremberg last November.

Raith boss Jimmy Nicholl, who almost got the job three years ago, would now appear to be the favourite to take over.

David Bowen, IFA general secretary, announced that the association had also unanimously agreed to terminate the contract of assistant manager Gerry Armstrong.

"The committee felt the time was right for a change," he said. "Nothing will be done hastily and the committee will convene in a few weeks to examine the situation."

Hamilton was telephoned with the news by Boyce.

"I'm disappointed," Hamilton said. "However, it has been a wonderful experience and I'll always be a Northern Ireland supporter. I was proud to play for my country and manage it."

Meanwhile, an English FA official said yesterday that there are no plans in place for a meeting with Ireland at Wembley early in the new year.

The official was commenting on reports that the countries would clash in March for the first time since the infamous game at Lansdowne Road in February 1995, when a section of the England supporters rioted, causing the game to be abandoned after only 27 minutes.

"We have no definite plans for any game in the new year at this point and will not be making them until after the draw for the World Cup finals in France in December," said the spokesperson. Ireland is owed a fixture by England following the truncated game in 1995.