Cardiff manager Malky Mackay was sacked on Friday, the Scot relieved of his duties the day after the Premier League side were defeated 3-0 by Southampton.
Mackay's departure comes despite controversial club owner Vincent Tan granting him a reprieve last weekend after sending him an e-mail demanding he either resign or be sacked.
That ultimatum was briefly lifted when chairman Mehmet Dalman stated Mackay would be in charge for the “forseeable future”, but the 3-0 Boxing Day defeat against Southampton proved to be the ex-Watford boss' last in charge.
A statement on the Cardiff website read: “The Board of Directors at Cardiff City Football Club have today relieved Malky Mackay of his duties.
“A new first team manager will be appointed and announced in due course.”
Thursday's loss left Cardiff, who under 42-year-old Mackay won promotion to the top flight last season, just a point above the relegation zone. – AFP