#INSERT type:image caption:A 4-1 home defeat to Norwich City proved to be Ian Holloway's last match as Millwall boss. END#
Millwall have sacked manager Ian Holloway after a season of struggle that sees them eight points adrift of safety in the Championship.
Holloway, who guided Blackpool into the Premier League in 2010, was appointed as boss at The Den last January and steered them to survival with a run of four draws and four wins in their final eight league games.
But after a bright start this season, the Lions have fallen away alarmingly and chairman John Berylson opted to make a change after Saturday's 4-1 home defeat to Norwich City with the Londoners second-bottom of the table.
The American told Millwall's official website: "This was a hard decision to take because we very much hoped Ollie would prove to be the man to take us forward and on to the next level.
"I would like to thank him for his efforts, and in particular for keeping us in the Championship last May.
"This season, though, has proved to be an extremely challenging one, and we now find ourselves facing another uphill battle to avoid relegation."
Berylson praised 51-year-old Holloway, saying he "remains a fine manager" but adding that the decision to make a change was "in the best interests of the football club going forward."
Millwall's record goal-scorer Neil Harris steps up from his position with the club's under-21s to take over as caretaker manager until the end of the season.