Brighton and Hove Albion have sacked manager Russell Slade after a poor start to the season.
The club has also parted company with Dean White, the assistant manager, and Bob Booker, the first team coach.
The Seagulls have won only three of their 15 League One games this season. Their defeats included a 7-1 thrashing at Huddersfield.
Slade left after the 3-3 draw with Hartlepool at the Withdean stadium yesterday. It left the club 20th in the table – one place above the relegation zone.
He joined the club from Yeovil in early March, just eight months ago, after Micky Adams was sacked. Slade led Albion to safety when relegation looked almost certain.
Martin Hinshelwood, Albion’s director of football, has been appointed caretaker manager. He will be helped by Brighton-born youth team coach Steve Brown and former Albion captain Charlie Oatway.
Slade is reported by the club’s website as saying: “I am extremely sad that things have not worked out but we have parted on good terms.
“I felt we were progressing through a much-needed and vital rebuilding process. That was never going to be easy with the large turnover of players during the close season.
“Whoever the club appoints will inherit a squad with enormous potential and an extremely supportive fan base.
“The supporters have been first class throughout my time here and I would like to place on record my thanks to them.
“I’d also like to thank those staff and players who worked so hard for me during the past eight months and of course Dick Knight for giving me the opportunity to manage the club in the first place.”
Club chairman Tony Bloom said: “It is not a decision we have taken lightly and one taken with a heavy heart.
“Russell is a good man – which made it an even harder decision to take – but it is one which has been made in the club’s best interests.
“Like all Albion fans, I am extremely grateful for Russell’s achievements at the end of last season as he kept us in League One against the odds.”
