Soccer:Cardiff have terminated the contract of manager Dave Jones. The Bluebirds missed out on promotion to the Premier League from the Championship play-offs for the second year running and the board have moved to end Jones' six-year spell in charge.

Chairman Gethin Jenkins told the club's official website: "We would like to thank Dave Jones for his considerable efforts with the club over the past six seasons.

"He leaves his post in the knowledge that he has left the club in a far better position than when he arrived."

Jenkins added: "Dave's tenure has seen Cardiff City Football Club develop from a standpoint of Championship stability through to becoming regular promotion contenders, while also having taken the team to an FA Cup Final.

"He has also had a significant contribution in the development of training facilities and the stadium during his Cardiff career. We thank him for all that he has done and wish him well for the future."

Jones succeeded Lennie Lawrence in 2005, having previously managed Southampton and Wolves, and guided the Welsh club to 11th place in his first season in charge.

The Liverpudlian continued to rebuild the club, securing 13th and 12th-placed finishes before masterminding a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough to reach the 2008 FA Cup final.

Cardiff were 1-0 defeated by Portsmouth and would subsequently miss out on a play-off place on the last day of the 2008-09 campaign.

However, Jones would subsequently guide the Bluebirds to the 2010 play-off final against Blackpool, where they narrowly missed out on promotion after a 3-2 loss.

Their third consecutive promotion challenge ended with disappointment and Jones' eventual dismissal after slumping to a 3-0 aggregate defeat to Reading in the play-off semi-finals.