Stoke City have parted ways with manager Michael O’Neill just five games into the Championship season.
The former Northern Ireland boss was appointed at the bet365 Stadium back in November 2019 and arrived with a stellar reputation. However, after failing to finish in the top half in each of his three seasons in charge, the pressure was immediately on him this time around.
And a disappointing start to the new campaign, which has seen them pick up just four points from a possible 15, has seen the board reluctantly act. The Potters will now be on the lookout for their fourth permanent manager since suffering relegation from the Premier League in 2018.
O'Neill followed on from Gary Rowett and Nathan Jones, who were given greater resources but both failed to achieve promotion during their short stints. O'Neill has been credited with slashing the wage bill in recent seasons, but failed to win enough games to ever give them a hope of a play-off charge.
The 53-year-old’s final game in charge was a disappointing home defeat at the hands of newly promoted Sunderland which left his side teetering above the relegation zone. Speaking after the game O’Neill pleaded for patience to help see the job through with his young squad.
“I have to believe,” he said. “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.”
It is understood players were told at the club's training base on Thursday morning, with a trip to Blackburn Rovers looming on the horizon. A statement from chairman John Coates read: “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.”
Stoke have been busy in the transfer window under O’Neill, although his signings predominantly included loans and free agents. The likes of Aden Flint and Dwight Gayle have signed permanently, while the new boss will also be able to call upon Manchester City striker Liam Delap who signed on a season-long loan last week.
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