Former Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has been sacked by Cypriot champions Apoel after just two months in charge.
McCarthy was appointed manager at Apoel at the beginning of November, signing a 19-month contract, and brought in his long-time assistant Terry Connor.
The 61-year-old took over with the club having won two of its first eight league games, but McCarthy could not improve on that form and after a run of four successive defeats left him with only two wins from his eight games in charge, he has been dismissed with the club just four points above the relegation places and 20 points behind the leaders.
A statement from Apoel said: "“APOEL announces it is ending its cooperation with coach Mick McCarthy. We wish Mr McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor all the best."
McCarthy spent three years in charge at Sunderland after bring appointed in 2003.
Under his management, Sunderland reached the First Division play-off semi-finals before losing on penalties against Crystal Palace in 2004, but the following season he led the club to promotion to the Premier League as champions.
After being sacked by Sunderland in 2006, McCarthy went on to manage Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ipswich Town, and then return for a second spell in charge of the Republic of Ireland national side, a job he had previously held between 1996 and 2002.
