Sunday 24 December 2017 14:00, UK
Carlos Carvalhal has parted company with Championship club Sheffield Wednesday.
The Owls sit 15th in the Championship after suffering their third straight defeat in Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Middlesbrough.
The Portuguese, who arrived at the club in the summer of 2015, has been under immense pressure from fans after failing to win since the opening weekend of November.
Carvalhal said in a statement: "The chairman and myself talked after the game and we believed this was the correct timing to make this decision.
"I am very sad at this moment because I have enjoyed my two seasons and a half so much with Sheffield Wednesday.
"We had two fantastic seasons and two play-offs in a row but unfortunately we have not managed to replicate these positions this season.
"There are reasons why I believe this is the case and the problems we have faced, of which I have spoken in my press conferences, so now is not the correct time to repeat.
"Finally, I say a very big thank you to the chairman, who has been amazing throughout my time with Sheffield Wednesday. He is the best chairman I have ever worked with in my life in football and I hope everybody at Hillsborough can help him achieve the dream of the Premier League."
Assistant manager Lee Bullen will take charge of the side for their Boxing Day trip to Nottingham Forest and until a permanent appointment is made.
A club statement from chairman Dejphon Chansiri read: "I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Carlos for the time, effort and commitment he has given Sheffield Wednesday over the last two and a half years.
"Both parties believe the time is right to go our separate ways. I maintain a huge amount of respect for Carlos as a coach and as a person and he will always be welcome at Hillsborough. I wish him every success in the future."
During Saturday's loss at Hillsborough, some fans called for the manager to be axed, but the chairman jumped to Carvalhal's defence after the game and suggested his job was not under threat.
Chansiri, who took over the club in 2015 and promised a return to the Premier League, said: "Some people want to drive him out of our club, they cross the line with some abusive things they say.
"Now he is a very bad coach all of a sudden - maybe some people have short memories."
