Terry Venables's stormy eight-month reign as Leeds United manager came to a sudden end today when the club announced he had left his post.
The departure of the 60-year-old former England coach followed a poor run of one league win in eight games and a series of disagreements with the cash-strapped club's hierarchy over the sale of players.
"Leeds United today announced that Terry Venables, manager of Leeds United Football Club, has left the company," Leeds said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange.
Leeds said an interim manager, expected to be assistant manager Eddie Gray, would be appointed for the rest of the season and a permanent replacement named during the close season.
A Leeds spokesman said a news conference would be held at Elland Road at 2 p.m.. Venables had been in charge of the struggling club since signing a two-year contract in July last year.
The club gave no details of his departure and it was not clear if he had resigned, been sacked or agreed to leave by mutual consent.
Venables held talks yesterday with Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale, who has been under fire from the club's supporters over his financial handling of the club.
Leeds are 15th in the Premiership before Sunday's match at Liverpool.