Stoke City Manager
MSc Sports Directorship alumnus
Michael O’Neill rose to international prominence after helping Northern Ireland qualify for Euro 2016 – their first major tournament in 30 years.
His managerial career began in Scotland at Brechin City before taking over at Shamrock Rovers in 2009. He then spent nine years in the hot seat at Windsor Park and came agonisingly close to guiding his home country to the World Cup in 2018 – controversially losing to Switzerland in the play-offs. O’Neill joined Championship side Stoke midway through the 2019/20 season with the side rooted to the bottom of the league.
His playing career saw him play in England, Scotland and the US for the like sof Newcastle United, Hibernian and Portland Timbers.
“The course is not a case of going through the motions for the purpose of getting a certificate; you really will develop yourself and I have felt that already.
“The way I look at things now is really changing since I started studying these modules. It’s especially good when, like me, you’re in a job that you can apply it to.
“On this course you are dealing with people from other sports and countries. A lot of the courses within football are predominantly for ex-players, but I personally wanted something different and it’s been very enjoyable to interact with the other students.”
