Mick McCarthy has built an impressive career in both club and international management after winning 57 caps with the Republic of Ireland as a player.

The Barnsley-born centre half, who started with his home town club, wound up with Millwall where he became a manager for the first time aged just 32 in 1992.

McCarthy, now in charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers, led Millwall into the play-offs two years after his appointment. Other highlights from the Den included notable FA Cup victories over Arsenal and Chelsea and a run to the fifth round of the League Cup.

Mick, whose father Charles was Irish, took on the daunting task of succeeding Jack Charlton as Ireland manager in 1996. After narrowly failing to qualify for the World Cup and the European Championships, the Republic reached the 2002 World Cup under McCarthy's leadership.

McCarthy's strength of character shone through as Ireland reached the second round before losing to Spain in a shoot-out.

Mick finally resigned later in the year, leaving behind an excellent record - 29 wins and 19 draws from 59 matches.

McCarthy returned in March, 2003 as manager of Sunderland who were facing an inevitable relegation from the Premier League. He took them to the play-offs the following season before winning promotion as champions in 2005.

His next managerial appointment was at Wolves. Inheriting a side weakened by player sales, McCarthy rebuilt from youth at Molineux. They suffered play-off hearbreak in his first season before finishing seventh the following year.

But season 2008-09 saw Wolves gallop to the top of the Championship as McCarthy scooped manager of the month awards in August and November.

On April 18, 2009, McCarthy led Wolves to promotion to the Barclays Premier League by beating QPR 1-0 at the Molineux after leading the Championship table for 42 out of 46 games.

On April 25, 2009, the Coca-Cola League Championship was then secured after Wolves drew 1-1 against Barnsley.

His playing career saw him win two promotions with Barnsley before joining Manchester City where another promotion took him into the top tier.

After moving to Celtic, he was part of a team that collected a league and cup double in his first season. McCarthy, who won a further Scottish Cup, also played for Lyon in France before moving to Millwall.