Hamilton feel the appointment process was handled badly

Hamilton's close friend Jimmy Nicholl failed to secure the post after being unable to agree terms with the IFA.

World Cup hero Hamilton said he couldn't understand why the IFA hadn't sounded out Nicholl's terms before offering him a final interview.

"You should do your groundwork to see if you can land your man," he insisted.

"Before you shortlist candidates, surely you should do your homework but obviously this wasn't done in this case."

Hamilton said he believed that the IFA should have been prepared to match Nicholl's demands.

"Jimmy was prepared to take a substantial paycut and you look at what's coming up in the next two years with England and Wales coming here.

"Windsor Park will be sold out for the next couple of years and surely the possibility of attracting a sponsor which would have paid for Jimmy Nicholl's package would have been enormous."

However, it is thought that the decision to employ Sanchez over the next two years could save the IFA over �100,000.

Hamilton rejected suggestions that Nicholl's chances of managing the Northern Ireland team are now dead.