Tuesday 29 December 2015 17:57, UK
Ricardo Moniz has been sacked as manager of Notts County after just eight months in charge of the club.
Moniz's assistant Dave Kevan and defensive coach Dean Yates have also been dismissed by the League Two club.
The 51-year-old was appointed County boss in April following the dismissal of Shaun Derry, but was unable to prevent the club suffering relegation from League One.
County have won just one of their last five matches and were knocked out of the FA Cup in the first-round by non-league Salford City in November.
"I made it clear when appointing Ricardo that I wanted someone who would bring an exciting, attacking brand of football to Meadow Lane and I think it would be fair to say that in part he has done this, with some eye-catching attacking play on show at times this season," County chairman Ray Trew told the club's official website.
"However, whilst showing considerable flair at times, particularly here at home, I feel that we have lacked a level of discipline and organisation in our defensive play throughout the season which has undermined our efforts and our right to play this free-flowing attacking style."
Trew added: "My goal for this club is, and always has been, to improve and whilst I by no means want to keep chopping and changing managers, I refuse to let us stagnate and I feel that the time is right for a new approach to reignite our season and get us back on track to where we want and need to be."
Moniz's last match in charge was a 2-2 draw against Morecambe on Monday. He leaves County 15th in the League Two table, seven points off the play-off positions.
County's academy manager Mick Halsall and U21's coach Richard Dryden have been placed in caretaker control of the first-team ahead of Saturday's home match with Oxford United.
Former Swindon manager Mark Cooper is the early 6/4 favourite with Sky Bet to become the new Notts County boss. Caretaker chief Mick Halsall can be backed at 8/1, while former Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough is an option in the betting at 10/1.
Odds correct at 1755 GMT on 29/12/15.
