Mick McCarthy

Born in Barnsley, Yorkshire, McCarthy made his league debut for then-Fourth Division Barnsley on 20 August 1977 in a 4–0 win over Rochdale. He spent two years in the basement league, before the club won promotion. Two years later, the team again went up to the (old) Division 2. A strong central defender, he was a virtual ever-present for his home town club, but departed in December 1983 for fellow Division 2 club Manchester City.

The Maine Road club won promotion in McCarthy's first full season and he finally had the chance to play at the highest level. His first season in the top flight was steady enough as the club reached mid-table, but relegation struck the following year. McCarthy himself would not face the drop though as he moved to Celtic in May 1987.{{cite news |date=15 August 1987 |page=13 |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29537305/the_guardian/ |title=Accent still on Merseyside |first=David |last=Lacey |via=Newspapers.com |access-date= 15 March 2019}}{{free access}}

He picked up his first silverware at the Scottish club as they won the league and cup double in his first season. The following season McCarthy again won a Scottish Cup winners medal, although the club had to settle for third place in the league.{{cite web |website=Statto |title=Scottish Premier Division 1988–1989 : Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/scotland/premier-division/1988-1989/table |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415232632/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/scotland/premier-division/1988-1989/table |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 April 2013 |access-date=15 March 2019}}

McCarthy again moved onto a new country, as he joined Lyon on a three-year contract in July 1989.{{cite podcast |author-link=Jarlath Regan |author=Jarlath Regan |edition=225 |work=An Irishman Abroad |title=Mick McCarthy |publisher=SoundCloud |date=6 January 2018 |url=https://soundcloud.com/an-irishman-abroad/mick-mccarthy-episode-225 |access-date=12 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/mick-mccarthy-lyon-4480685-Feb2019/ |title = Remembering Mick McCarthy's brief and forgotten spell with Lyon |date=7 February 2019 |website=The42.ie |access-date=7 February 2019}}

McCarthy returned to England on loan with top-flight Millwall in March 1990. He signed permanently in May 1990 for £200,000. His appearances in the next two seasons were often limited by injuries and he effectively retired from playing when he took over as manager of the club in 1992.{{cite news |work=The Guardian |first=Robert |last=Pryce |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29538617/the_guardian/ |title=Soccer Diary |date=21 March 1992 |page=18 |access-date=15 March 2019}}

McCarthy, the son of an Irish-born father, Charlie, is an Irish citizen since birth.Section 7(1) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts 1956 to 2004. He made his Irish international debut in a goalless friendly against Poland on 23 May 1984, McCarthy soon became a first-choice player and featured in all three of Ireland's games at UEFA Euro 1988. He went on to become captain, leading to the nickname "Captain Fantastic", as per the title of his autobiography.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29537577/the_tampa_tribune/ |date=6 January 1992 |first=Bill |last=Chastain |title=Commentary |page=103 |work=The Tampa Tribune |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=15 March 2019}}{{free access}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/23/mick-mccarthy-jack-charlton-illuminated-ireland-changed-lives |title =Mick McCarthy on Jack Charlton: 'He illuminated Ireland and changed lives'|date= 23 September 2020 |work=Guardian|access-date=24 September 2020}}

The highlight of McCarthy's international career was the second-round penalty shoot-out win over Romania in the 1990 World Cup finals. This led to a crunch tie with hosts Italy in the quarter-final, where Ireland's first ever appearance in the finals came to an end, losing 1–0. McCarthy was the player who committed the most fouls in the 1990 tournament.

In total, McCarthy won 57 caps for the Republic of Ireland; scoring two goals, one against Yugoslavia in April 1988,{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/matchdetails.php?id=238&level=sssenior|title=Statistics: Republic of Ireland [Powered by tplSoccerStats]|website=www.soccerscene.ie|access-date=17 March 2019}} the other against the United States in May 1992.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29538200/the_akron_beacon_journal/ |work=Akron Beacon Journal |title=Soccer: U.S. an upset winner over Ireland |date=31 May 1992 |page=125 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=15 March 2019}}{{free access}}

McCarthy became player-manager at Millwall in March 1992, succeeding Bruce Rioch. In his first full season (1992–93), he was still registered as a player, but made only one further appearance (in the Anglo-Italian Cup), before he became solely a manager.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}

He took the club to the play-offs in 1993–94 after a strong third-place finish, but they lost out to Derby County in the semi-finals. During the 1995–96 season, McCarthy became the prime candidate for the vacant Republic of Ireland manager's job, after the resignation of Jack Charlton. After a protracted period of speculation, McCarthy was officially appointed on 5 February 1996, two days after his resignation at the club. Despite sitting a comfortable 14 points clear from the relegation zone at the time of his departure, Millwall would go on to suffer the drop (by virtue of goals scored) after McCarthy's departure.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}

His loan signings of the underachieving Russian internationals Sergei Yuran and Vassili Kulkov from Spartak Moscow, who each received a £150,000 signing-on fee and were being paid five times the wage of the rest of the first team, would later be cited {{by whom|date=November 2018}} as one of the main reasons Millwall were eventually relegated under Jimmy Nicholl, although it cannot be proven.Bethel, Chris; Millwall Football Club 1940–2001 Tempus Publishing Ltd, 2001, p.122; {{ISBN|0-7524-2187-5}}

In February 1996, McCarthy became the new manager of the Republic of Ireland football team following the resignation of Jack Charlton. His first game in charge was a friendly international against Russia on 27 March which finished in a 0–2 defeat.{{cite web|last=Wright|first=Rob|date=19 March 2019|title=Where are they now? Mick McCarthy's first Ireland XI|website=RTÉ.ie |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2019/0319/1037350-where-are-they-now-mick-mccarthys-first-ireland-xi/|access-date=28 January 2020}}

After two narrow failures to qualify for the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, McCarthy took the nation to the 2002 World Cup held in South Korea and Japan after a 2–1 play-off aggregate win against Iran.{{cite news|url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/15/minutebyminute.sport|title= Iran 1 – 0 Ireland (agg: 1 – 2)|date=15 November 2001|work=The Guardian |access-date=18 October 2013}} Before the tournament, McCarthy was involved in a very public and bitter spat with star player Roy Keane, who was sent home the day before it began. The conflict occurred after Keane had questioned the quality of the preparations and facilities the team were using.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/team_pages/rep_of_ireland/newsid_2012000/2012137.stm |title=Keane v McCarthy: blow-by-blow|work=BBC Sport|date= 28 May 2002 |access-date= 19 August 2009}}

Despite this furore, McCarthy's team reached the second round but were eliminated by Spain in a penalty shoot-out (after having already missed and scored a penalty in normal time). In spite of this, the Keane issue remained, with the proportion of blame undecided. Many in Ireland sided with Keane – particularly following a televised interview in which details of poor preparation were revealed – and demanded McCarthy's resignation both during and after the tournament. An independent inquiry into the organisation's handling of the squad's preparation later commissioned by the Football Association of Ireland created a damning report, leading to general secretary Brendan Menton tendering his resignation.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2002/1112/fai.html |title=Menton quits following damning FAI report| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209003252/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2002/1112/fai.html |archive-date=9 December 2008 |work=RTÉ.ie|date= 12 November 2002 |access-date= 19 August 2009}}

Criticism of McCarthy in the media became increasingly intense after a poor start to Ireland's qualifying campaign for Euro 2004. In particular, his persistence with several players and tactics that some perceived to be inadequate did him damage, as did a 4–2 away defeat to Russia and a 2–1 home defeat to Switzerland. Under mounting pressure, McCarthy resigned from the post on 5 November 2002.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/republic_of_ireland/2406549.stm |title=McCarthy quits Republic|work=BBC Sport|date= 6 November 2002 |access-date= 19 August 2009}} During his 68 games in charge, the Republic of Ireland won 29, drew 20 and lost 19.{{cite web|url = http://www.soccer-ireland.com/irish-soccer-managers/mick-mccarthy.htm|title=Mick McCarthy – Irish Soccer Manager|publisher=Soccer Ireland|access-date=22 January 2016}}

On 12 March 2003, McCarthy was appointed manager of struggling Sunderland as an immediate replacement for Howard Wilkinson, who was sacked after six successive Premiership defeats left the club facing near-certain relegation.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/2838747.stm |title=McCarthy unveiled as Sunderland boss |work=BBC Sport |date= 12 March 2003 |access-date= 19 August 2009}} The following season, after relegation, he took Sunderland to the First Division promotion play-offs, but lost in a penalty shoot-out to Crystal Palace after Palace had scored a stoppage-time equaliser.{{cite news |title=Sunderland 2-1 C Palace |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/3710227.stm |access-date=22 November 2021 |date=17 May 2004}}

McCarthy completed the turnaround of the club in the 2004–05 season. The Black Cats returned to the Premier League as Football League Championship champions, amassing 94 points.{{cite news|url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/mick-out-1-1106073|title=MICK OUT|date=6 March 2006|work=Sunderland Echo|access-date=29 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629074257/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/mick-out-1-1106073|archive-date=29 June 2018|url-status=dead}} After a poor season and with the club 16 points from safety with only 10 games remaining, he was dismissed on 6 March 2006.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/4778496.stm |title=Sunderland sack manager McCarthy |work=BBC Sport |date= 6 March 2006 |access-date= 19 August 2009}}

File:Mick McCarthy Wolverhampton Wanderers Manager.jpg manager in 2011]]

On 21 July 2006, McCarthy was appointed manager at Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers, replacing Glenn Hoddle who had resigned a fortnight earlier. He signed a 12-month rolling contract{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/5202552.stm |title=McCarthy named new Wolves manager|work=BBC Sport|date= 21 July 2006 |access-date= 19 August 2009}} The team managed to make the promotion play-offs in his first season, where they lost out to local rivals West Bromwich Albion over two legs, losing 3–2 at Molineux and 1–0 at The Hawthorns.{{cite news |last1=McNulty |first1=Phil |title=West Brom 1-0 Wolves |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6649727.stm |access-date=22 November 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2007}}

In the 2007–08 season he took the club to within a single placing of a successive play-off finish, ending seventh, losing the coveted sixth place to Watford by a goal difference of only one.{{cite news |last1=Jolly |first1=Richard |title=Blackpool 1-1 Watford |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/may/04/blackpool.watford |access-date=22 November 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=4 May 2008}} The campaign had also seen him linked with the international positions of South Korea and his previous post as Republic of Ireland manager.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7128801.stm |title=McCarthy rules out Korea position |work=BBC Sport |date=5 December 2007 |access-date= 19 August 2009}}

The 2008–09 season started well for McCarthy as he won the August Championship Manager of the Month Award, after seeing his side reach the top of the table,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/7598391.stm |title=Wolves boss scoops monthly award |work=BBC Sport |date=4 September 2008 |access-date= 19 August 2009}} eventually going on to match Wolves' record start to a season (equaling the 1949–50 season). Wolves maintained their position at the top of the table over the following months, and McCarthy again won the Manager of the Month Award for November.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/7765134.stm |title=McCarthy is top Championship boss |work=BBC Sport |date=4 December 2008 |access-date= 19 August 2009}} After maintaining top spot since October, McCarthy's Wolves secured promotion to the Premier League by beating QPR 1–0 on 18 April 2009. The following week McCarthy clinched his second Championship as a manager after a 1–1 draw at his hometown club Barnsley. He won the Championship Manager of the Season Award at the conclusion of the campaign, his side having led the table for 42 of 46 games.

The following season, McCarthy kept Wolves in the Premier League, his first success at this level in three attempts. The club assured safety with two games to spare, eventually finishing 15th, their best league finish since 1979–80, and their first ever survival in the modern Premier League. However, in the process of keeping the team in the top division, Wolves and McCarthy were fined £25,000 for fielding a weakened team for a fixture at Manchester United and thus breaking the Premier League rule E20. The Premier League also stated that the club had failed to fulfil its obligations to the league and other clubs in the utmost good faith and was therefore in breach of Rule B13.{{cite news |title=Wolves fined £25,000 over Old Trafford team selection |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/8521603.stm |access-date=1 September 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 February 2010}}

The team spent the majority of the 2010–11 campaign mired in the relegation zone, yet managed to defeat the likes of Manchester City,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9135951.stm|title=Wolverhampton 2–1 Man City| date=30 October 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=12 April 2012}} Manchester United,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9384148.stm|title= Wolverhampton 2–1 Man Utd| date=5 February 2011|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 February 2012}} Liverpool{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9308904.stm|title= Liverpool 0–1 Wolverhampton| date=29 December 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 February 2012}} and Chelsea.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9334680.stm|title=Wolverhampton 0–1 Chelsea| date=5 January 2011|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 February 2012}} A final day loss to Blackburn put them in danger of relegation, but results elsewhere meant they narrowly survived in 17th place, one point ahead of relegated Birmingham and Blackpool.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9492248.stm|title=Premier League D-Day as it happened| date=22 May 2011|work=BBC Sport|first=Sam|last=Lyon|access-date=13 February 2012}} This gave McCarthy the distinction of being the first Wolves manager in thirty years to maintain the club's top flight position for two successive seasons.

The 2011–12 season began well for McCarthy and, after three games, his team topped the Premier League with 7 points.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/14520311.stm|title=Wolverhampton 2–0 Fulham| date=21 August 2011|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 February 2012}} However, results tailed off and by January they had once again entered the relegation zone after nine games without victory. That same season Wolves sold £15 million worth of players and with the board allowing McCarthy to spend just £12 million it seemed inevitable when McCarthy was sacked as Wolves manager on 13 February 2012{{cite news|title=Wolves sack manager Mick McCarthy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17012933|access-date=13 February 2012|work=BBC News|date=13 February 2012}} after a run of poor results, culminating in a 5–1 home defeat to local rivals West Bromwich Albion.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29539124/the_province/ |title=Wolves fire coach |work=The Province |date=14 February 2012 |page=31 |via=Newspapers.com|access-date=15 March 2019}}{{free access}}

File:Mick McCarthy.jpg in 2016]]

On 1 November 2012, McCarthy was appointed manager at Championship side Ipswich Town on a two-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20153642 |title=Mick McCarthy: Ipswich Town appoint ex-Wolves boss|work= BBC Sport|date= 1 November 2012|access-date= 22 January 2016}} McCarthy's appointment came in the wake of Paul Jewell's departure by mutual consent. McCarthy won his first match in charge as Ipswich manager on 3 November 2012, away at Birmingham, 0–1. This broke a 12 match winless run{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/soccer/report?gameId=344027|title=Birmingham City vs. Ipswich Town – Football Match Report – November 3, 2012 |work= ESPN|date=3 November 2012|access-date=3 November 2012}} in the league, 13 matches in all competitions. McCarthy guided Ipswich past Burnley on 10 November – the first home win since March after a late DJ Campbell winner. The match ended 2–1.{{cite web|url=http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/21844/town-2-1-burnley|title=Town 2–1 Burnley – Ipswich Town News|access-date=5 December 2012}} With a win against Nottingham Forest in late November, his sixth game in charge, McCarthy had successfully guided Ipswich out of the relegation zone.{{cite web|url=http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/21976/mccarthy-out-of-bottom-three-but-job-still-tough|title=McCarthy: Out of Bottom Three But Job Still Tough – Ipswich Town News|access-date=5 December 2012}} McCarthy's Ipswich stopped Millwall's 13-match unbeaten run with a 3–0 home win on 8 December. On 2 February 2013, McCarthy's assistant Terry Connor took charge of a 4–0 rout of Middlesbrough while McCarthy was ill. McCarthy then guided Ipswich to safety, finally finishing in 14th place. Prior to the 2013–14 season, McCarthy had signed 10 new players. McCarthy's first full season in charge of Ipswich ended with the club finishing in 9th place.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}

On 30 June 2014, McCarthy and Terry Connor agreed a new three-year deal with Ipswich.{{cite web|url=http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/boss-signs-new-deal-1706714.aspx|title=Boss signs new deal|first=Steve|last=Pearce|access-date=30 June 2014}} The following season he led the club to their first appearance in the Championship playoffs in ten years with a sixth-placed finish, before losing out to rivals Norwich City in the semi-finals.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} During the 2015–16 season McCarthy and assistant Terry Connor renewed their contracts for a further two seasons, with the option to extend until 2020. McCarthy led Ipswich to a 7th-place finish in his third full season at Portman Road.{{cite news|url=https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2016/january/contract-extensions-for-mick-and-tc/|title=CONTRACT EXTENSIONS FOR MICK AND TC|last=Pearce|first=Steve|date=22 January 2016|publisher=Ipswich Town|access-date=19 August 2017}} McCarthy's fourth full season in charge ended in a 16th-place finish.

On 29 March 2018, Ipswich Town announced that McCarthy would be leaving the club at the end of the 2017–18 season on the expiry of his contract, along with assistant manager Terry Connor, after talks with owner Marcus Evans.{{cite news|url=https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2018/march/mick-mccarthy-to-depart-ipswich-town-at-the-end-of-his-contract/|title=Mick McCarthy to Depart Ipswich Town at the End of his Contract|publisher=Ipswich Town Football Club|date=29 March 2018|access-date=29 March 2018}} His final season with the club was marred by a fractured relationship between him and the club's supporters, with many supporters voicing their dissatisfaction with McCarthy's defensive style of play and McCarthy branding them as "numbskulls".{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43466145|title=McCarthy to leave Ipswich in summer|work=BBC Sport }} He left the club earlier than expected on 10 April 2018, shortly after a 1–0 home win over Barnsley.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/29/mick-mccarthy-leave-ipswich-manager-end-of-season|title=Mick McCarthy and Ipswich call it a day – to the relief of all concerned |date=29 March 2018 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43624045 |title=Ipswich Town 1–0 Barnsley |work=BBC Sport |date=10 April 2018 |access-date=10 April 2018}}

On 25 November 2018, McCarthy was appointed manager of Republic of Ireland for the second time in his career, replacing Martin O'Neill.{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2018/1124/1013087-stephen-kenny-to-replace-mccarthy-after-2020-finals/|title=Stephen Kenny to replace McCarthy after 2020 finals|date=24 November 2018|work=RTE.ie|access-date=24 November 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/soccer/fai-on-verge-of-agreement-for-both-mick-mccarthy-and-stephen-kenny-to-manage-ireland-887588.html|title=FAI on verge of agreement for BOTH Mick McCarthy and Stephen Kenny to manage Ireland|date=24 November 2018|access-date=24 November 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/republic-of-ireland-under-21-managers-announced|title=Republic of Ireland & Under-21 Managers Announced – Football Association of Ireland|website=www.fai.ie|access-date=17 March 2019}} Robbie Keane, a legend for the national team, was appointed as one of McCarthy's assistant coaches, alongside Terry Connor, who had previously assisted McCarthy at both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ipswich Town.

In March 2019, McCarthy won his first two games in charge, by defeating both Gibraltar and Georgia, in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers in Group D, by 1–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/republic-of-ireland-gibraltar-4557466-Mar2019/ |title =Misfiring Ireland shake off Gibraltar and tough conditions to start Euro campaign with a win|date=23 March 2019|work=The 42|access-date=28 March 2019}}{{cite web|url= https://www.the42.ie/ireland-v-georgia-report-euro-2020-4561527-Mar2019/|title =Conor Hourihane's ace ensures a happy homecoming for Mick McCarthy|date=26 March 2019|work=The 42|access-date=28 March 2019}}

In June 2019, the national team drew 1–1 away to Denmark, before defeating Gibraltar once again, this time by 2–0, at the Aviva Stadium; four days later, McCarthy guided them to the top the Group D table, having taken ten points after four games.{{cite web|url= https://www.the42.ie/ireland-gibraltar-report-june-2019-4676366-Jun2019/|title =Brady's late header adds gloss to uninspiring Ireland win over Gibraltar|date=10 June 2019|work=The 42|access-date=11 June 2019}}{{cite web|url= https://www.the42.ie/mick-mccarthy-tv-reaction-copenhagen-4673182-Jun2019/|title =McCarthy pays tribute to 'fabulous' Duffy as Ireland snatch a point in Copenhagen|date=7 June 2019|work=The 42|access-date=11 June 2019}}

On 5 September 2019, McCarthy's side once again came from behind to draw 1–1 with Switzerland, which enabled them to remain at the top of their qualifying group, with three matches to play remaining.{{cite web|url= https://www.the42.ie/ireland-switzerland-report-september-2019-4797524-Sep2019/|title =McGoldrick's late leveller rescues Ireland against superior Swiss|date=5 September 2019|work=The 42|access-date=6 September 2019}} However, a 0–0 draw in Georgia, followed by defeat in Switzerland, left Ireland needing a win at home to Denmark to secure a top two spot. A 1–1 draw saw the Irish needing to win the play-offs to qualify. On 4 April 2020, amid the global coronavirus pandemic, McCarthy stood down as manager and was immediately replaced by Stephen Kenny, who had been in charge of the nation's under-21s, for the play-offs.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52168274|title=Republic of Ireland: Stephen Kenny to replace Mick McCarthy as manager|work=BBC Sport |access-date=4 April 2020}}

McCarthy joined Cypriot First Division club APOEL as manager on 2 November 2020; he signed a contract until 2022.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12121707/mick-mccarthy-apoel-nicosia-hire-former-republic-of-ireland-and-ipswich-manager |title=Mick McCarthy: APOEL Nicosia hire former Republic of Ireland and Ipswich manager |website=Sky Sports |date=2 November 2020 |access-date=2 November 2020}} He was sacked by the club on 5 January 2021 following a run of 2 wins, 1 draw and 5 defeats in his 8 games in charge.{{cite news |title=Mick McCarthy sacked by Cypriot club after just two months in charge |url=https://www.the42.ie/mick-mccarthy-sacked-by-apoel-5317222-Jan2021/ |work=The 42 |date=6 January 2021}}

On 22 January 2021, McCarthy was appointed as manager of Cardiff City, following the sacking of Neil Harris. He signed a contract until the end of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/breaking-cardiff-manager-mick-mccarthy-19683218 |title=Cardiff City confirm Mick McCarthy as new manager until the end of the season |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |last=Williams |first=Glen |date=22 January 2021 |access-date=23 January 2021}} His reign started with games against two of his former teams from his playing-days; Barnsley and Millwall – both of which ended as draws. His first win as Cardiff manager came in the following game, a 2–0 win against Bristol City.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55866863|title=Bristol City 0-2 Cardiff City|work=BBC Sport }} After making an unbeaten start to his reign at the club, a run that included a six-game winning streak, McCarthy signed a new two-year deal with the club on 4 March 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/mick-mccarthy-signs-new-city-deal|title=Mick McCarthy signs new City deal! | Cardiff|website=www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk}} Cardiff finished the season in 8th place.

Despite losing just one of their opening six matches at the start of the following season, a poor run of results followed which saw Cardiff drop as low as 21st in the table. On 23 October 2021, after suffering a club-record eighth successive loss of the season at the hands of Middlesbrough, McCarthy left the club by mutual consent.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58946947|title=McCarthy leaves Cardiff after Boro loss|work=BBC Sport }}

On 19 January 2023, McCarthy was appointed head coach of the Championship's second-bottom placed club Blackpool on a short-term contract until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2023/january/19/blackpool-football-club-appoint-mick-mccarthy-as-head-coach/|title=Blackpool Football Club appoint Mick McCarthy as Head Coach|website=www.blackpoolfc.co.uk|date=19 January 2023|accessdate=19 January 2023}} On 8 April 2023, McCarthy left Blackpool by mutual consent, following a 3–1 home defeat to Cardiff the previous day. He achieved two wins in his 14 games in charge, losing nine of them, which left the club in 23rd. "With results on the pitch not improving in recent weeks, the decision has been agreed by both parties that a change is needed," the club said in a statement.{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Blackpool |title=Club Statement {{!}} Mick McCarthy |url=https://blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2023/april/08/club-statement---mick-mccarthy/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Blackpool FC |language=en}}

McCarthy's brother-in-law is Robert Elstone, formerly Chief Executive of Everton.{{cite web|title=Family feud brewing over Everton & Belgian FA's Marouane Fellaini row|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2009/10/15/family-feud-brewing-over-everton-belgian-fa-s-marouane-fellaini-row-100252-24934638/|publisher=Liverpool Echo|accessdate=5 January 2023|date=15 October 2009}}

:Source:{{NFT player|id=15503|name=Mick McCarthy|accessdate=13 February 2012}}

{{updated|match played 7 April 2023}}{{Soccerway coach|/mick-mccarthy/110699}}{{cite news|title=Mick McCarthy: Cardiff City held off competition to keep new manager|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56291119|access-date=5 March 2021}}

Barnsley

• Football League Third Division runner-up: 1980–81{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1980-81.html | title = Season 1980–81 | access-date = 4 September 2020}}
• Football League Fourth Division promoted: 1978–79{{cite web | url = http://www.englishfootballleaguetables.co.uk/final/f1978-79.html | title = Season 1978–79 | access-date = 4 September 2020}}

Manchester City

• Football League Second Division promoted: 1984–85{{cite web | url = http://www.englishfootballleaguetables.co.uk/final/f1984-85.html | title = Season 1984–85 | access-date = 4 September 2020}}
• Full Members' Cup runner-up: 1985–86{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/sep/29/chelsea-manchester-city-cup-final-league | title = When Chelsea won a league game and a Wembley cup final in the same weekend | website = TheGuardian.com | date = 29 September 2017 | access-date = 4 September 2020}}

Celtic

• Scottish Premier League: 1987–88{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/mccarthy-on-celtic-list-1.82826|title=McCarthy on Celtic list|newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=13 October 2018}}
• Scottish Cup: 1987–88, 1988–89{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/mick-mccarthy-factfile-75569.html|title=Mick McCarthy factfile|date=5 November 2002|access-date=13 October 2018}}

Individual

• PFA Team of the Year: 1977–78 Fourth Division,{{cite book |last=Lynch |title=The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes |page=142}} 1978–79 Fourth Division, 1980–81 Third Division,{{cite book |last=Lynch |title=The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes |page=143}} 1981–82 Second Division,{{cite book |last=Lynch |title=The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes |page=144}} 1982–83 Second Division, 1983–84 Second Division,{{cite book |last=Lynch |title=The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes |page=145}} 1984–85 Second Division
• Barnsley Player of the Year: 1977–78, 1978–79, 1980–81{{cite web | url = https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/club/player-of-the-year/ | title = Player of the Year Winners 1969 – Present Day | access-date = 4 September 2020 | archive-date = 17 November 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201117132347/https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/club/player-of-the-year/ | url-status = dead }}
• Manchester City Player of the Year: 1983–84{{cite web | url = https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2017/june/50-years-of-mcfc-player-of-the-year-part-2 | title = 50 YEARS OF MCFC PLAYER OF THE YEAR: PART 2 | access-date = 12 July 2017}}

Sunderland

• Football League Championship: 2004–05{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/4778496.stm|title=Sunderland sack manager McCarthy|date=6 March 2006|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2018}}

Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Football League Championship: 2008–09{{cite web|url=https://www.wolvesfancast.com/mick-mccarthy-wolves/|title=Saint or sinner? The Mick McCarthy tenure at Wolves – Wolves Fancast|date=19 April 2015|access-date=13 October 2018}}

Individual

• Philips Sports Manager of the Year: 2001{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/martin-o-neill-michael-o-neill-share-philips-manager-of-the-year-award-1.2460667|title=Martin O'Neill & Michael O'Neill share Philips Manager of the Year award|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=10 December 2015|access-date=4 September 2020}}
• RTÉ Sports Person of the Year: 2001{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2002/0104/mccarthym.html|title=McCarthy wins top RTÉ Sporting award|work=RTÉ Sport|date=4 January 2002|access-date=4 January 2002}}
• Football League Championship Manager of the Month: March 2005,{{cite news | title = McCarthy lands monthly accolade | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/4397235.stm | work=BBC Sport | date = 31 March 2005 | access-date =17 May 2008}} August 2008,{{cite news | title = Wolves boss scoops monthly award | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/7598391.stm | work=BBC Sport | date = 4 September 2008 | access-date=6 September 2008}} November 2008,{{cite news | title = McCarthy is top Championship boss | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/7765134.stm | work=BBC Sport | date = 4 December 2008 | access-date =18 October 2008}} September 2014,{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11688/9510498/sky-bet-football-league-ipswichs-mick-mccarthy-and-tyrone-mings-win-september-awards |title=Tyrone Mings wins Football league Championship Player of the Month for August while Mick McCarthy takes manager's award |publisher=skysports.com |date=1 October 2014 |access-date=7 November 2014 }} November 2015,{{cite web|title = Mick McCarthy named Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month|url = http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/2015/mick-mccarthy-named-sky-bet-championship-manager-of-the-month-2844292.aspx|website = www.football-league.co.uk|access-date = 11 December 2015}} February 2021{{cite web|title = Manager of the Month: February winners|url =https://www.efl.com/news/2021/march/manager-of-the-month-february-winners/|website = www.football-league.co.uk|date = 12 March 2021|access-date = 12 March 2021}}
• LMA Championship Manager of the Year: 2004–05, 2008–09{{Cite web|url=http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/mick-mccarthy/|title=League Managers Association – Mick McCarthy|website=leaguemanagers.com|access-date=20 December 2020|archive-date=27 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027232548/http://leaguemanagers.com/managers/mick-mccarthy/|url-status=dead}}
• LMA Hall of Fame: Inducted 2021{{cite web |title=MICK MCCARTHY – LMA 1000 CLUB & HALL OF FAME |url=https://leaguemanagers.com/news/lma-latest/mick-mccarthy-lma-1000-club-hall-fame/ |publisher=League Managers Association |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718120437/https://leaguemanagers.com/news/lma-latest/mick-mccarthy-lma-1000-club-hall-fame/ |url-status=dead }}

• List of Republic of Ireland international footballers born outside the Republic of Ireland

{{reflist}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:McCarthy, Mick}}

Category:1959 births

Category:Living people

Category:English people of Irish descent

Category:Footballers from Barnsley

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Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers

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