Manchester United have sacked manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a day after a 4-1 defeat by promoted Watford left the Old Trafford club seventh in the Premier League.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Photo: Photosport
Former player Michael Carrick, a member of Solskjaer's coaching staff, will take charge of the United team for Tuesday's Champions League match away to Villarreal with the club saying they will then look to appoint an interim manager to lead the side until the end of the season.
Norwegian Solskjaer, 48, had signed a three-year contract extension until 2024 in July but he was dismissed after United lost five of their last seven league games, including defeats by Aston Villa, Leicester City, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Solskjaer played for United as a striker from 1996-2007, scoring the stoppage-time winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich to ensure he would always hold a special place in the club's history.
United have not won the Premier League since Alex Ferguson's last season in charge in 2013 when he led them to the title for the 13th time in his reign at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer took over from Jose Mourinho in December, 2018, initially on an interim basis, but after guiding United to 14 wins in 19 matches in all competitions he was given the job permanently in March 2019.
Bookmakers have installed former Real Madrid coach and France midfielder Zinedine Zidane as favourite to be the next permanent manager of the club.
Meanwhile Manchester City moved back to second in the Premier League after a stylish 3-0 win over Everton at the Etihad Stadium.
Raheem Sterling put City ahead, a minute before the break, side-footing home after a magnificent ball, struck with the outside of his foot, by full back Joao Cancelo.
Rodri made it 2-0 with a thundering long-distance strike that whistled past Everton keeper Jordan Pickford.
Sterling missed a great chance to end the contest but mis-controlled the ball in front of goal after a low cross from Riyad Mahrez.
Cole Palmer, the 19-year-old making his first Premier League start, had set Mahrez through for that opportunity and his blocked shot was pounced on by Bernardo Silva who calmly slotted home the third.
Chelsea lead the table on 29 points, with City three points behind and Liverpool one further back in third.
Everton are without a win in six games and are 11th on 15 points.
Rodri and Nathan Ake Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Sergio Reguilon's first goal for Tottenham Hotspur earned his side a 2-1 victory over Leeds United in manager Antonio Conte's first home Premier League game in charge.
The Spanish left back tucked home a rebound in the 69th minute to seal a comeback win for Tottenham Hotspur who were abysmal in the first half and trailed to Daniel James's opener.
Tottenham were booed off at halftime but whatever words of wisdom Conte offered inspired quite a transformation with the hosts vastly improved after the interval.
After Harry Kane and Son Heung-min were both denied equalisers by the woodwork, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg equalised with a left-footed finish from the edge of the area in the 58th minute as the hosts began to dominate.
Reguilon then sealed Tottenham's first win in four league games to lift them above Manchester United into seventh place with 19 points from 12 games.
An injury-hit Leeds team appeared to run out of steam in the second half and defeat left them one place and two points above the relegation zone with 11 points.
-Reuters