England’s Stoke City manager tests positive for Covid-19

Stoke City says Northern Irish manager Michael O’Neill tested positive for COVID-19.

The manager of English football club Stoke City has tested positive for coronavirus, the club announced late Tuesday.

“Stoke City can confirm that manager Michael O’Neill has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus following the latest round of testing on Monday (June 8),” the statement read.

“O’Neill had tested negative in the previous five rounds of testing,” Stoke City said, adding that the Northern Irish manager will follow the coronavirus protocols and undergo isolation.

In light of the news, the Potters’ assistant manager Billy McKinlay will coach the first team in training as Stoke City will face Reading in the second-tier Championship division match on June 20.

O’Neill, 50, was appointed by Stoke City last November and has a contract with the club through 2023.

He was a longtime Northern Irish national team manager (2011-2020).