Aston Villa have sacked manager Tim Sherwood following a run of six straight Premier League defeats.
Sherwood took over as Villa coach in February, helping the club to avoid relegation from the Premier League while also guiding the Villans to an FA Cup final appearance.
But Villa have struggled this season despite signing 13 players in the summer -- while also losing Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph to Liverpool and Manchester City respectively -- going winless in the league since the opening day of the season, and losing eight of their nine games since then.
Club statement: Tim Sherwood. Information here: https://t.co/xImmX1naL9 #AVFC pic.twitter.com/MxuRnGxJR6
- Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) October 25, 2015
Club director general Charles Krulak said in mid-October that Sherwood was safe amid reports the coach would be sacked if they lost to Chelsea and Swansea, but defeats in those two games have seen Villa take action.
The club released an official statement on Sunday which read: "Aston Villa Football Club has parted company with manager Tim Sherwood today.
"The Board has monitored the performances closely all season and believes the results on the pitch were simply not good enough and that a change is imperative.
"However, the club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Tim for all his efforts during a difficult period last season and for the many positive contributions he has made to the entire football setup during his time with the club. We wish him well in the future.
"Assistant manager Ray Wilkins, first-team coach Mark Robson and performance analyst Seamus Brady have also left with immediate effect and do so with our best wishes.
"A search for a new manager has commenced and the squad will be managed in the interim by Kevin MacDonald.
"There will be no further comment from the club at this stage."
Sherwood had said after Saturday's defeat to Swansea that he was not fearful of losing his job, joking that if the board called and wanted to sack him, "I'll just turn my phone off."