Stoke City have sacked manager Michael O'Neill - with last weekend's home defeat at the hands of Sunderland proving the final straw for the Potters boss. The Black Cats won 1-0 at the bet365 Stadium last Saturday, with Ross Stewart scoring the only goal.
That meant Stoke, who finished 14th in the Championship last season, have begun the current campaign with just one win from their first five games and have slipped to 21st in the table. With that record, Stoke have decided to make a change and confirmed this morning that former Northern Ireland boss O'Neill has left the club after almost three years in charge.
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.
READ MORE: Sunderland complete the signing of 'huge talent' Jewison Bennette from Costa Rica
"I would like to thank him for his efforts and wish him every success for the future."
Stoke have put O'Neill's former assistant Dean Holden in interim charge ahead of this weekend's trip to Blackburn Rovers, and the club says it has begun the process of appointing a new manager.
READ MORE:
- Alex Neil on the 'friction' that has brought Sunderland's Dan Neil back to his best this season
- Latest on Sunderland link with PSG starlet, and moves for Jewison Bennette and Jan Paul van Hecke
- Sunderland could hold key advantage ahead of Norwich City clash
- Peter Reid makes Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson Sunderland comparison
- Peter Reid on emotional Sunderland relegation that saw him fall in love
