Stoke City have sacked Michael O'Neill after just five games of the new season.
It is being reported that O'Neill has been relieved of his duties at the bet365 Stadium.
It has been a poor start to the new campaign by Stoke, who lie four places off the bottom of the Championship table after picking up one win from their opening five games.
Read more: Determined Healy urges his Blues to become European history makers
O'Neill was appointed Stoke boss in November 2019 but failed to finish in the top half of the table in his three seasons in charge. And after claiming just four points from a possible 15 this term, the club's board have acted and are now on the search for their fourth manager since suffering relegation from the Premier League in 2018.
O'Neill joined Stoke at the end of 2019 following a hugely successful spell as Northern Ireland international manager.
The 53-year-old guided his country to the Euro 2016 finals, their first major competition since 1986, where they reached the knockout stages before losing to Wales.
He also led Northern Ireland to a World Cup qualifying play-off and had them on the cusp of another Euro finals before moving back into club football with Stoke.
He is largely credited with slashing Stoke's wage bill in recent seasons, but results have ultimately led to his exit, including last weekend's loss to Sunderland.
Speaking after the game O’Neill said: “I have to believe. It’s a disappointed group of players but they’re together and they’ll work hard and they’ll try to make sure they’re ready to play and do everything to get a win that will help us and give us a wee bit of a lift.
“We have built a squad which is, I think, the youngest we’ve had here for a long time and it may take a bit of time. All I can do is hope that there’s patience to allow that to flourish and progress.
“I think if you were honest, it looked like a game when we were in control but ultimately when you hand the initiative to the opposition the game can become difficult as we saw in the second half.”
READ NEXT:
- Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey: Increased gates a shot in the arm for Irish League
Millar labels Robinson tackle "a shocker" as Lowry offers measured response
McMenamin savours 'feeling that never changes' after big win over Crues
From Croke Park to Windsor Park, 10 GAA stars who have lit up the Irish League
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
