Martin O’Neill is in talks with Saudi club Al Hilal
about a tax-free £4.5million two-year contract.
The former Aston Villa chief has been offered the post that was
due to be taken up by Sven Goran Eriksson before he chose to join
Leicester City instead.
Al Hilal’s representatives have approached O’Neill and insiders
in their camp reveal that a contract is “almost signed” and “the
announcement will be imminent”.
O’Neill has not worked abroad and the move would be a surprise
because he has been in the running for potential vacancies at home
now he is a free agent.
The Irishman is often linked with Liverpool and is definitely on
the short-list for the England job when Fabio Capello moves on.
The Al Hilal move has come out of the blue but O’Neill seems to
be interested by the challenge and the lucrative package.
Al Hilal have just lost coach Eric Gerets to the Moroccan
national team. He took the club to the semis of the Asian Champions
League before departing.
An Al Hilal insider said: “O’Neill would live like a king over
here. The club leave no expense spared with their star
employees.
“He can also bring his staff, but this is not a holiday – the
club are committed to being the biggest in the region.”