Former Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O'Neill appointed Stoke City boss

Former Shamrock Rovers first-team boss Michael O’Neill has been unveiled as Stoke City’s new manager.

Stoke City have had a difficult start to the 2019-20 campaign losing 11 of their opening 16 league games.

Shortly after his appointment as Stoke boss, O’Neill noted that he is hopeful that the Potters supporters will stick by his side as he attempts to rebuild the club.  

“I would say to the supporters to stick with the team,” O’Neill expressed.

“I know it has been difficult for them, particularly this last couple of years having come out of the Premier League.

“It is always difficult when you have to experience relegation from the Premier League. 

“Everyone aspires to be go back there and we can only do that with everyone pulling in the one direction, from the supporters, ownership, the players, everyone at the Club and myself. 

“Our ambition is certainly in the short term to climb up the Championship but to build a team which is capable of challenging to go back to the Premier League.”

He added; “We have great support in Northern Ireland and I think the team responded to that – it energised the team.

“It very similar here. I played at the bet365 Stadium as a player many years ago and it was a great stadium to play in, an intimidating one because the supporters are very much the soul of this Club. 

“What we have to do is make sure we are justifying that support as a team, putting a team out onto the pitch which is worthy of that backing. 

“The supporters will play a big part between now and the end of the season to galvanise the team and the team equally have to meet that expectation.”

O’Neill began his reign as Stoke boss with a 4-2 win over Barnsley at Oakwell on Saturday afternoon.