Mick From Yorkshire Is The New Howard Sunderland have appointed former Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy as their new manager. CLICK HERE FOR THE LIVE PRESS CONFERENCE (you will need realplayer to listen to the press conference) He takes charge of the Black Cats with nine games of the season left. McCarthy has signed a rolling contract which will enable him to rebuild a successful side over the longer term. As a player, McCarthy won 57 caps for Ireland before taking over the manager’s role from Jack Charlton in 1996, at the age of 35. During his time in charge he lifted the Irish team from a FIFA world ranking of 54th to 13th, after their appearance in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea. Having qualified from a tough group that also included Holland and Portugal, McCarthy guided the Irish to the last 16, remaining unbeaten in the first phase and only going out on penalties to Spain. A skilful man-motivator, McCarthy has brought the same determination and confidence from his playing days to his managerial career. Taking over an ageing Irish team from Charlton, McCarthy kept his typically unwavering cool in moulding his own squad and bringing on new exciting talents into the international arena. The World Cup proved to be the most dramatic period in his term as Ireland manager. Despite the loss of his captain in the full glare of the world’s media and under immense pressure, he led his team through to the second round, refusing to compromise on leadership and team spirit - proving his ability to manage in his own style in times of adversity. As a well-respected TV analyst, McCarthy has brought his own blend of incisive reading of the game combined with an intelligence and wit that have proved popular with viewers. Never afraid to tell it as he sees it, Mick is a man of strong opinions. He said: "I’m excited to be joining Sunderland and am up for the challenge ahead. In the short term we have nine remaining games this season and, of course, I will be concentrating on lifting the players to get the best possible results in these. I’m also excited about the long-term. This is a great club and it deserves success." In welcoming McCarthy to Sunderland, vice-chairman John Fickling said: "It has been a difficult period for the club and its supporters but we’re delighted to have secured the services of Mick McCarthy who is well respected in the world of football. "We have made this change now because we feel it is in the best interests of the club and its supporters. It was important that we acted swiftly to secure the services of a manager who would undoubtedly have been pursued by several clubs during the summer months and by appointing Mick now, we are giving him the opportunity to get to know the players and the club and form a long-term development strategy for the summer and beyond. "This decision is not about the last nine games or our Premiership survival – although this is important. It has been taken for the long term. "We believe that today’s appointment will be a crucial turning point and that Mick will halt the club’s decline and revive our fortunes on the pitch. I hope all supporters will join me in welcoming Mick to Sunderland and get behind him and the team."
Mick McCarthy's story so far. 1959: Born Barnsley, 7 February. 1977: Makes league debut for Barnsley, later moving to Man City, Celtic, Lyon and Millwall. 1984: Makes debut for Republic of Ireland. 1991: Named as Millwall's player-manager. 1996: After impressive stint at Millwall, appointed successor to Jack Charlton as Ireland manager. 2002: Quits as Ireland boss in the same year as a row with Roy Keane overshadows the World Cup campaign. 2003: Appointed Sunderland manager
