Sunday 24 December 2017 06:04, UK
Middlesbrough have parted company with manager Garry Monk, the Sky Bet Championship club have announced.
Boro have struggled for consistency this season but sit ninth in the table, just three points behind the play-off places, after their 2-1 win away to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
Monk took over from Aitor Karanka at the Riverside in June following Boro's relegation from the Premier League, after interim boss Steve Agnew took over the reins for the final 11 matches of last season.
The dismissal of the former Leeds and Swansea manager means academy manager Craig Liddle takes charge of first team affairs - including the Boxing Day home game against Bolton - until a permanent successor to Monk can be found.
"Middlesbrough Football Club have parted company with manager Garry Monk," read a club statement.
"The club would like to thank Garry for all his hard work and dedication, and wish him all the best for the future.
"The club's Academy Manager Craig Liddle will take charge of first team affairs during the interim period while a successor is appointed.
"The club will be making no further statement until an appropriate time."
Monk's departure was something of a surprise, coming just hours after the confidence-boosting victory at Hillsborough.
"That was our best away performance of the season and I thought it was a thoroughly deserved win," he said after the game. "I thought we were excellent today.
"We answered a few questions that were thrown at us today and there are a few more to be answered.
"We have to build on this and use it as a springboard. There are more things to work on and improve. We've shown that we can go on runs and that is the next challenge.
"I don't doubt these players. The effort and commitment is always there. I am so pleased for the players and of course our fans. It is expensive to travel, especially at Christmas time, so I'm pleased to send them home happy."
