Aston Villa management has sacked manager Roberto Di Matteo after just four months in charge after the club owner ran out of patience following a poor run.
“Aston Villa Football Club has today parted company with manager Roberto Di Matteo,” read the club statement on their website.
“The Club decided to act following a run of disappointing results which has the left the team occupying 19th position in the Championship.”
The Club would like to place on record its appreciation to Roberto for all his efforts in helping rebuild the squad and wish him well for the future.
With immediate effect, Seve Clarke was appointed as the interim manager as the club denied making any other comments.
“Steve Clarke will take over as caretaker manager during the search for a new manager.
There will be no further comment from the Club,” read the other part of the statement.
Villa are now looking for their fifth boss inside a year after deciding to replace the Italian, who won just one of 11 Championship games in charge.
Former Chelsea player and manager Di Matteo, 46, was appointed shortly after Chinese businessman Dr Tony Xia took over Villa in June.
Steve Bruce and Mick McCarthy are among the early favourites to replace him.
Former Walsall manager Dean Smith, now in charge at Brentford, has already dismissed speculation about taking charge of the club he supported as a boy.
Villa were booed off by their fans after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Preston.