English Premiership strugglers Sunderland tonight sacked manager Howard Wilkinson after his 20-game reign produced just two league victories.
Sunderland, who are bottom of the table, announced via their website that Wilkinson and his assistant Steve Cotterill had left the club with immediate effect.
The club's board announced "that it is in the best interests of the club and its supporters to make a change immediately".
Wilkinson, the former Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday boss, was appointed in October after the sacking of Peter Reid.
But he failed to lift a team which has taken just 19 points from 29 matches this season, leaving them two points adrift of second-bottom West Bromwich Albion with nine matches left.
Sunderland chairman Bob Murray said: "The club and its supporters have faced disappointment over a drawn-out period.
"This has been very difficult for everyone concerned but we are absolutely determined to arrest the decline and revive the club.
"We will be appointing a successor before our crucial game against Bolton at the weekend.
"The fans have been incredibly tolerant and supportive in the circumstances and I would like to thank them for that.
"We understand how people are feeling and regret this. We all want to see the team get back to winning ways and putting in the type of performances that will give the fans something to cheer about."
Former Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy, ex-Leeds boss David O'Leary and former Sunderland player Niall Quinn are expected to be in the frame to replace Wilkinson. AFP