Paul Ince's reign as Blackpool manager has come to an end.
The Seasiders have taken just one point since November during a run of nine defeats in 10 games and rumours had been rife that Ince would be sacked.
Ince, sacked for the third time in his managerial career, and his backroom staff of Alex Rae and Steve Thompson have been axed by chairman Karl Oyston. Veteran midfielder Barry Ferguson, 35, will take temporary charge.
Paul Ince sacked
Ince succeeded Michael Appleton following his decision to join Blackburn shortly after being appointed.
Although Blackpool are still eight points off the drop zone, results only tell part of the story with fans furious at Ince's failure to add to a depleted squad this month and the indiscipline which has seen them accrue nine red cards.
The 46-year-old was voted manager of the month in August, when his team topped the division, and they were still in the top four as recently as November before the wheels began to fall off at an alarming speed.
In their first December fixture, three men were sent off in the loss at Yeovil and two more were given their marching orders in a 5-1 thrashing to Derby four days later
Ince's behaviour at Bournemouth was widely condemned
The Seasiders, though, denied they had a discipline problem, an accusation which had been levelled at them since Ince received a five-game stadium ban from the FA in October for his actions following a game with Bournemouth in September.
The governing body later disclosed the details of Ince's expletive-laden rant at a fourth official, who the Blackpool boss had also physically assaulted following the final whistle.