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

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

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

Assistant manager Dean Holden will take charge on an interim basis with Stoke visiting Blackburn on Saturday.

In a statement, 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.