MX23RW : Tuesday, January 21 11:30:40| >> :120:27780:27780:

Michael O'Neill names Billy McKinlay as Stoke assistant

The former Watford boss was O'Neill's number two with Northern Ireland.

Michael O'Neill has appointed his former Northern Ireland number two Billy McKinlay as his assistant manager at Stoke.

The former Scotland international and Fulham coach worked alongside O'Neill during his early years at Windsor Park before leaving to become Watford boss in 2014.

That job lasted just eight days before he was sacked and he subsequently worked as part of David Moyes' backroom team at Real Sociedad. He also joined his fellow Scot at Sunderland and West Ham, also taking in a short stint in charge of Stabaek in Norway.

O'Neill told the Potters' official website: "Billy and I have known each other since the early 1990s when we were team-mates and I'm delighted to welcome him to the staff at Stoke City.

"I've seen Billy work at both club and international level and I know that he's an excellent coach who I believe is a great fit for us."

O'Neill signed off his Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with Northern Ireland with a 6-1 defeat in Germany but is ready to lead his country in March's play-offs. Until then he will focus his time and energy on reviving Stoke's hopes of avoiding relegation from the Sky Bet Championship.

ID:380084: cacheID:380084:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2114:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
James McClean pictures for Stoke in November 2019
Read Next:
James McClean looking to 'lay ghosts to bed' with Euro 2020 qualification
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds27168351193256
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd27176438172155
3Burnley27141123192253
4Sunderland27149439221751
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2712693124742
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom27914433221141
7Middlesbrough27118844341041
8Watford27125103837141
9Bristol City2791083331237
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds27107103843-537
11Norwich CityNorwich279994339436
12Queens Park RangersQPR2781183034-435
13Swansea CitySwansea2797113033-334
14Coventry CityCoventry2788113537-232
15Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2788113041-1132
16Preston North EndPreston2761382834-631
17Millwall2679102424030
18Stoke CityStoke27610112533-828
19Derby CountyDerby2776143137-627
20Cardiff CityCardiff2769122941-1227
21Hull City2768132636-1026
22Portsmouth2668123245-1326
23Luton TownLuton2775152744-1726
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2749142555-3021


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!