Manchester City have sacked their manager Joe Royle, BBC Ceefax reported today.
In a statement, the club said: "Manchester City Football Club announces that its manager Joe Royle will be leaving the club with immediate effect. The club would like to thank Joe for all his efforts. In particular successive promotions from the Second Division to the Premier League. An announcement regarding further changes will follow shortly."
City chairman David Bernstein said: "Since my appointment as Manchester City chairman I have emphasised the need for stability and the avoidance of necessary change. This has therefore been a particularly difficult decision."