Mick McCarthy is the manager of Ipswich Town after signing a three-year deal with the Championship club in November 2012. The former Wolves boss certainly had his work cut out but handled the pressure admirably and led the previously struggling club to safety with a 14th place finish.
McCarthy had a decent playing career as a centre-half playing a large part of his career with his local club Barnsley before having spells at Manchester City, Celtic and Millwall.
McCarthy began his managerial career at Millwall before going on to manage the Republic of Ireland in early 1996. McCarthy managed Ireland for six years and during that time he took them to the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.
Ireland had a relatively successful tournament, but suffered the heartache of getting knocked out on penalties by Spain in the second round. Despite their on-pitch performances their success was marred by the row between McCarthy and Roy Keane, who was sent home on the eve of the tournament.
Following a poor start to Ireland's Euro 2004 qualifying campaign McCarthy resigned in November 2002 and was on the look out for a new managerial post.
In March 2003 he was appointed manager of Sunderland, with whom he could not save from relegation to the Championship. The following year they lost in the play-offs but came storming back in the 2004/05 season by winning the league, with 84 points. He lost his job in March 2006 with the club struggling in the Premier League and yet again McCarthy went in search of a new job.
McCarthy became manager of Championship side Wolves in July 2006. On a limited budget McCarthy moulded together a decent team and had a good run to the play-offs where they lost to bitter rivals West Brom. Two seasons later he guided Wolves to the Championship title and thus promotion to the Premier League. McCarthy has since kept Wolves in the Premier League, finishing 15th and 17th respectively.
However, in the early part of 2012, McCarthy received his marching orders from Molineux as they hovered in and around the relegation zone of the Premier League. He was back in management in November 2012 with Ipswich with whom he guided to 14th at the end of the 2012/13 season.
