Stoke City sack manager Michael O'Neill just six games into the season

Stoke City have fired manager Michael O'Neill following a poor start to their Championship season.

The Potters finished a disappointing 14th last season and have opened this campaign with just one win in their first five matches.

They also exited the Carabao Cup at the first round stage, losing on penalties to League One Morecambe.

O'Neill had been in charge at the Bet365 Stadium since November 2019 and has become the first managerial casualty since the Championship season started.

Seven clubs changed their manager during pre-season.

Stoke lost 2-0 at Millwall on the opening day of the season before beating Blackpool by the same scoreline.

They subsequently lost 3-1 at Huddersfield Town, drew 2-2 with Middlesbrough and then suffered a 1-0 home loss to Sunderland on Saturday that sealed O'Neill's fate.

It left them 21st in the early season Championship standings, just a place above the relegation zone.

In addition, they lost 5-3 on penalties to Morecambe following a goalless draw in their Carabao Cup first round tie.

Sean Dyche, who was sacked by Burnley as they slid towards Premier League relegation in April, is expected to be a candidate to replace O'Neill.

O'Neill is the second EFL manager to be shown the door this season after Robbie Stockdale was fired by League Two Rochdale last week.