David Moyes will be sacked as Manchester United manager before the weekend, bringing his disastrous tenure as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor to an ignominious end.
Moyes was anointed as Ferguson's successor on 9 May last year but will not even see out the season, with Ryan Giggs expected to be placed in caretaker charge of United's final four matches.
The club have refused to deny reports Moyes will be sacked.
The Scot presided over an 11th Barclays Premier League defeat at Everton on Sunday, ensuring United will not play in the Champions League for the first time in 18 years.
And the embarrassing manner in which his former club have usurped United - who are seventh in the table - appears to be the final death knell for a beleaguered manager whose support amongst United supporters has plummeted over the last two months.
United's Glazer family owners and executive vice chairman Ed Woodward were keen to be patient with Moyes despite a trophyless and apocalyptic first season, but ultimately they cannot justify handing Moyes a £200 million transfer kitty to oversee the club's rebuilding job.
Borussia Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp, Atlético Madrid's Diego Simeone, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and Holland's national team manager Louis van Gaal are just four possible contenders to succeed Moyes.
The former Everton manager's sacking is particularly embarrassing for both Ferguson and United legend Sir Bobby Charlton, who both heartily endorsed his credentials as a potential United manager. Ferguson is apparently on holiday in New York this Easter.
David Moyes: Record Breaker
First defeat at home to West Brom since 1978(01 of13)
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First defeat at home to Everton since 1992(02 of13)
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First defeat at home to Newcastle since 1972(03 of13)
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First ever defeat at home to Swansea(04 of13)
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Three consecutive defeats for the first time since 2001(05 of13)
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First league loss to Stoke since 1984(06 of13)
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First ever loss to Greek opposition(07 of13)
Open Image ModalFirst ever first-minute league goal conceded at Old Trafford in the Premier League(08 of13)
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11 League defeats - most in Premier League era(09 of13)
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Liverpool and City at the double(10 of13)
Open Image ModalUnited lost home and away to Liverpool and Manchester City - their two fiercest rivals - this season. This had never happened before Moyes took charge. (credit:Getty Images)
Lowest Premier League points total(11 of13)
Open Image ModalUnited cannot match the 77 points they accumulated in the trophyless 2004-05 campaign, when they finished third. (credit:Getty Images)
Lowest finish since 6th in 1991(12 of13)
Open Image ModalUnited could yet record their worst domestic season since the 1989-90 campaign, when they finished 13th. Alex Ferguson did, at least, win his first trophy in the FA Cup. (credit:Getty Images)
Everton's first league double over United since 1969(13 of13)
Open Image ModalMoyes' departure has galvanised the Goodison club, who will finish above United for the first time since 1990. (credit:Getty Images)