Tottenham Hotspur manager George Graham has had his contract terminated after a row with the club's new owners about how much cash would be available to buy players.
Graham had led Spurs to the semifinals of the FA Cup but become increasingly frustrated at the limited resources he was being offered to rebuild the team, traditionally rated one of English soccer's "big five".
After meeting with owners ENIC earlier this week he was told there would be no big outlay on players and repeated his fear that the club might not be able to hold on to their biggest asset - England defender Sol Campbell.
Club vice-chairman David Buchler was furious that Graham, in charge since October 1998, made the details public and the result was the departure of the club's fourth manager in four years.
"I had a private meeting with George Graham and (director of football) David Pleat this week and on Friday morning found details of it plastered across the press," Buchler said.
"I asked George for an explanation but none was forthcoming and he had a defiant attitude.
"I am not prepared to have someone who is not a team player, who is not looking after the club's interest.
"I am building from top to bottom a cohesive team and this is a difficult time for the club with a semifinal coming up and negotiations with players over contracts.
"We agreed we cannot work with each other."
Pleat is taking temporary charge of the side. Former captain Gary Mabbutt is expected to return to the club in some capacity but Spurs said it had no successor to Graham in mind.
Tottenham reached the last four of the FA Cup last Sunday with a 3-2 victory over West Ham United and Graham was looking forward to pitting his wits against his former club Arsenal, with whom he won two league titles, in the semifinals.
Graham's appointment was initially greeted with some suspicion by Spurs fans because of his links with Arsenal. But he took them to victory in the 1999 League Cup, beating Leicester City in the final for the club's first trophy in eight years and earned a place in Europe in the process.
While league success continued to escape the team - they finished 10th last year and are currently 13th - Graham has taken them to within one game of an FA Cup final.