Football: Former Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill departs Stoke City
Former Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has been sacked as manager of Stoke City.
The Championship club have endured a tough start to the season, winning just one of their first five games.
Having guide to the Potters to successive 14th-placed finishes in the second tier, O'Neill becomes the first Championship manager to lose his job this season.
O'Neill is credited with stabilising the club and cutting their wage bill, whilst introducing young players to the first team since taking on the role in November 2019.
In a statement released on the Stoke City website, Joint Chairman John Coates said: “Michael joined us in November 2019 when the Club was in a difficult situation and the job he did in stabilising our position in the Championship should not be underestimated.
“Michael has worked tirelessly and with extreme professionalism, in particular in reshaping our squad and developing young players, but we feel the time is right to move in a different direction. I would like to thank him for his efforts and wish him every success for the future.”
Assistant manager Dean Holden will take interim charge of the first-team.
The Club has begun the process of appointing a new manager and will be making no further comment at this time.