Wigan Athletic have sacked manager Malky Mackay after a 2-0 defeat to Derby County left them eight points adrift of safety in the Championship.
The 43-year-old Scotsman departs after less than five months in charge of the Latics and leaves them23rd in the table with just five games remaining.
Chairman David Sharpe said: “This is a very difficult decision to make but I feel that, for the long term future of the club, there needs to be a change now. I wish Malky all the best for the future.”
Mackay succeeded Uwe Rosler in November with theclub already in the relegation places following a poor start to the season.
His appointment was made amid controversy, however, with a Football Association investigation into allegations that he made sexist, racist and homophobic comments whilst manager of Cardiff City still ongoing.
The furore surrounding his appointment also led to the then Wigan chairman, David Sharpe's grandfather Dave Whelan, being banned from the club for subsequent comments he made about Jewish and Chinese people.
Whelan quit as chairman just last month, leaving 23-year-old Sharpe in charge, and his successor hastaken the bold decision to part with a man who lost seven of his first 10 games in charge and collected just three points from 39 in home games.
Nigel Adkins is the early 2/1 favourite to succeed Mackay at Wigan, with former Wigan player and current Everton assistant manager Graeme Jones 5/1.