 Sanchez has guided NI to top of their Euro 2008 qualifying group |
The Irish FA has said that Lawrie Sanchez will remain in the Northern Ireland job despite his appointment as Chris Coleman's replacement at Fulham. IFA chief executive Howard Wells said that Sanchez had committed to seeing out his contract which runs until the end of the Euro 2008 campaign.
"Fulham have also given me a commitment that this is an appointment until the end of the season," said Wells.
"If circumstances change they will want to discuss things further with us."
Sanchez took over at Fulham after Chris Coleman was sacked on Tuesday.
The IFA chief said that Fulham had "gone through the right processes".
 | It would have been churlish of the IFA not to have agreed to discuss this with Fulham IFA chief executive Howard Wells |
"Dave McNally (managing director) of Fulham phoned me last night seeking permission to speak to Lawrie.
"Lawrie then spoke to me himself asking what our view was," Mr Wells said.
"It is a short-term appointment, he has given another commitment to me with regards to seeing out his contract with Northern Ireland."
Northern Ireland's next qualifying match is not until August while Fulham's season ends in May.
Sanchez said in December that he was likely to step down from the role after the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and make a return to club management.
He was due to hold contract talks this month.
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Howard Wells added that it "would have been churlish of the IFA not to have agreed to discuss this with Fulham".
"I don't see (a problem) short-term because we haven't any fixtures until August.
"The English season finishes in a month's time. Realistically, that may be it but we must keep our options open and keep our minds open to what may change. Football is a funny game.
"This is an odd situation. It's unusual that clubs dispense with a manager with only five games to go and only appoint a caretaker."
Sanchez has steered Northern Ireland to the top of their European Championship qualifying group, helped by superb home wins over Spain and Sweden.
He also guided Northern Ireland to a shock victory over England in the last World Cup qualifying campaign.
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