 Jim Boyce was not kept informed of developments on Tuesday |
Irish Football Association president Jim Boyce has expressed anger at the circumstances of Sammy McIlroy's departure from the Northern Ireland job.
On Tuesday evening, Boyce learnt of McIlroy's plan to resign from the media.
The IFA was eventually informed of McIlroy's decision to quit on Wednesday morning.
On Tuesday morning, The IFA gave permission through secretary David Bowen for the former Macclesfield boss to talk to the Second Division strugglers.
Speaking on Tuesday evening, Boyce said: "I have not been contacted by Sammy and it is fair to say I am annoyed.
"No-one has given him more backing over the years than me. It has always been 100%.
"There was no indication coming back on the plane from Athens on Sunday that this kind of thing was going to happen. "We talked about a number of matters, including possibly arranging some B internationals".
 |  I feel personally hurt and I'm sure an awful lot of the supporters would feel exactly the same way |
Boyce said he got a call from Bowen saying that Stockport had been in touch and wanted permission to speak to McIlroy.
The manager was contacted and Boyce revealed: "David Bowen said he got a strange reaction from Sammy.
"He said: 'What's the harm in talking to them'.
"Then I started getting calls saying Sammy is going to be installed as Stockport's manager, no ifs or buts
"But I am in the dark as he has not spoken to me. I went out and when I came home I had 18 messages.
"I thought one would have been from Sammy but he's not been in touch with me and I am hurt".
Boyce predicted that McIlroy's popularity with the Northern Ireland fan might disappear following his decision to accept the Stockport role.
"I feel personally hurt and I'm sure an awful lot of the supporters would feel exactly the same way because they have given him 150 per cent backing too".
Although McIlroy was recently handed a new deal, the lure of club football and the day-to-day involvement with players appears to be the crucial factor.
Speaking on BBC's Talkback programme on Wednesday, Mr Boyce said his recommendation would be to advertise the post.
"I intend to call a meeting of the international committee, but we have to look to the future.
"Sammy has now gone, but there will still be a Northern Ireland team and there will still be a team participating in next year's World Cup."
Former Northern Ireland manager Billy Bingham told Talkback that small football regions had to have good teamwork and work as a unit to be successful.
"If you do that you have a better chance, because you are not expected to have all the best players. But if you can work them together - use their strengths and hide their weaknesses - then I think you will get better results."
Meanwhile, Stockport caretaker manager John Hollins has admitted he is stunned by reports that he is to be replaced by McIlroy.
After a disappointing start in charge following Carlton Palmer's dismissal, Hollins earned his second successive victory as caretaker manager with a 2-1 triumph at Mansfield on Tuesday in the LDV Vans Trophy.
Hollins said: "I know completely and utterly nothing about this.
"No one has phoned me from the club at all with regard to this and as far as I'm concerned I am preparing for Saturday.
"If it's true it's not the right way to do it. I am still as determined as ever that we can get it right and we are not that far off."
MMIX
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