Notts County has parted company with manager Shaun Derry and assistant Greg Abbott after a difficult run of results that has seen them slip into a relegation battle.
The pair joined the club in November 2013 and in their first season at Meadow Lane, they guided the club to safety in the Sky Bet League One.
Director and CEO Aileen Trew said: “This is without doubt one of the hardest decisions that we have had to make as a Board because we know how much this club means to Shaun and Greg and we know how much hard work they had both put in during their time here.
However, we have to make the decisions that we feel are in the best interests of the club and our perilous position in the table meant that we felt we needed to make a change.
CEO and Director Aileen Trew on the decision to part company with the management duo
“I have nothing but positive things to say about Shaun and Greg and the way that they conducted themselves during their time here at Notts County.
“It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to them, but with a hope that this difficult decision will be the catalyst for a turn around in fortunes, starting this weekend at home to Scunthorpe United.”
County and football fans alike took to Twitter to air their views with many unsure whether it was the right time to part company with the pair with just nine games to go.
Honestly lost for words that Derry and Abbott have gone. Some great memories, Barnsley away, the Great Escape and meeting Shaun
— Alex Levy (@alexlevy0908) March 23, 2015
https://twitter.com/JonP88/status/579959292989706240
Feel a degree of sympathy for Shaun Derry after incredible job he did at end of last season, yet 3 league wins in 21 not good enough. #Notts
— Gabriel Sutton (@_FootbalLab) March 23, 2015
Good luck to Shaun Derry, hope he finds another club soon but probably the right decision right now.
— OLD ACCOUNT (@Dan_Nutrition) March 23, 2015
See Shaun Derry's been sacked at Notts Co, so Crewe are the only club in bottom eight of League 1 not to change their manager this season
— Trevor Davies (@TrevorDavies_Os) March 23, 2015
