 He began his management career at York City in May 1982 , having played for the club on loan the previous season . He led the club to the Fourth Division title in 1983 – 84 , totalling five seasons at the club . He took charge of Sunderland in May 1987 , and took the club to the Third Division title in 1987 – 88 , before getting the club promoted from the Second Division in 1989 – 90 . Sacked by Sunderland in December 1991 , he took charge at Bristol City three months later . He steered the club away from relegation in 1992 – 93 , but was sacked in January 1993 after falling out with the club 's directors . He was appointed manager of Oxford United in September 1993 , and though he was unable to avoid relegation in 1993 – 94 , he led the club to promotion from the Second Division in 1995 – 96 . He switched clubs to West Bromwich Albion in December 1997 , remaining in charge for two @-@ and @-@ a @-@ half seasons before he was sacked in July 1999 . 
