Michael O'Neill: Stoke City sack manager after poor start to the season

Michael O'NeillRex Features

Michael O'Neill won 55 of his 143 games in charge of Stoke

Stoke City have sacked manager Michael O'Neill after a poor start to the Championship season, having won just once in five games.

The 53-year-old was appointed by the Potters in November 2019, replacing Nathan Jones.

The former Northern Ireland boss is the first manager to be sacked this season in the Championship.

Assistant manager Dean Holden will take charge on an interim basis when Stoke visit Blackburn on Saturday.

In a statement, chairman John Coates said: "Michael joined us in November 2019 when the club was in a difficult situation. 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."

Stoke were bottom of the Championship, having won only two of their opening 15 games, when O'Neill arrived during the pandemic-interrupted 2019-20 season, but they recovered to finish 15th

In his two full seasons, O'Neill then guided the Potters to consecutive 14th-placed finishes in the second tier.

Despite seven more close-season signings, notably Dwight Gayle, the Potters have managed just one win - against Blackpool in their opening league game.

They were knocked out of the EFL Cup at the first round stage by Morecambe on penalties - and last weekend's 1-0 home defeat by Alex Neil's Sunderland left them 21st in the table.

O'Neill is the second manager to be sacked in the English Football League this season, after Robbie Stockdale left League Two side Rochdale on 18 August.

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