Bradford City have sacked manager Mark Hughes just three days before they were due to face Swindon Town at Valley Parade.
Hughes, who took the Bantams to the League Two play-offs last season, departs with the club sitting 18th in the fourth tier and with just one win in their last six matches.
The Welshman and assistant Glyn Hodges have been dismissed after 587 days in charge – the longest of any manager at the club since Stuart McCall’s second spell.
Swindon were preparing to take on Hughes and Bradford in League Two this weekend, but they will now be facing a team led by summer signing and interim player-manager Kevin McDonald, the experienced midfielder has previously coached at Fulham in the under-18s and under-21s.
Bradford chief executive Ryan Sparks said: “We find ourselves a long way away from where we expect to be.
“As a result, the decision has been taken to move in a different direction in an effort to get our season on track.
“On a personal level, I have very much enjoyed working alongside Mark and Glyn, and we go our separate ways on good terms.
“They made a great impact when they arrived at the club, both on and off the field, and last season came close to delivering on our aims.
“Unfortunately, since our defeat at Carlisle in the play-off semi-final, results have been disappointing.”
Hughes was managing in his first club job outside of the Premier League and leaves that role having had a 40% win ratio in League Two.
The former Manchester United player’s second game in charge at Valley Parade was against Town. A match in which Gareth Evans gave the hosts the lead before Harry McKirdy pulled a goal back and then Swindon claimed all three points courtesy of a 96th-minute penalty from Jack Payne.
Swindon were undefeated against Hughes during his tenure at Bradford, earning an away draw last season with Luke Jephcott’s stoppage time goal before Jonny Williams grabbed all three points at the County Ground with yet another late goal in April.
The early favourites with the oddsmakers to take over at Valley Parade are former Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell, current Gateshead boss Mike Williamson, and ex-Oxford United manager Karl Robinson.
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