Stoke City have sacked Michael O'Neill after just five games of the new Championship season.
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, reports Belfast Live.
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There had been hopes of a promotion push this season after the Potters finished 14th last term, but the lacklustre start has resulted in the sacking of manager O'Neill.
Saturday's 1-0 defeat to newly-promoted Sunderland has prompted Stoke's owners to wield the axe on the 53-year-old, who was appointed boss at the end of 2019 following a hugely successful spell as Northern Ireland international manager.
O'Neill 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.
Stoke joint chairman John Coates said in a statement on the club’s website: “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.”
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