Martin O'Neill's career as Sunderland manager – in pictures

6 December 2011: Martin O'Neill walks down the tunnel at the Stadium of Light shortly after becoming the Sunderland manager Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

9 December 2011: O'Neill during the training session at the Academy of Light, Sunderland Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

11 December 2011: O'Neill celebrates David Vaughan scoring Sunderland's first goal against Blackburn Rovers Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images

11 February 2012: O'Neill looks on during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

4 March 2012: O'Neill and the Newcastle manager, Alan Pardew, argue during their game at St James' Park Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

25 August 2012: The then Reading manager, Brian McDermott, and O'Neill during a pitch inspection before their match at the Stadium of Light Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images

2 December2012: O'Neill looks dejected away to Norwich City at Carrow Road Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images

2 March 2013: O'Neill looking increasingly concerned this season Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images

30 March 2013: O' Neill chats with Sir Alex Ferguson before his final match as manager of Sunderland. After defeat to Manchester United, he was sacked by the club Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images