Sunderland have sacked manager Gus Poyet following the club's 4-0 home defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.
Poyet, 47, has overseen just one Premier League win since their derby victory at Newcastle on Dec. 21. The Black Cats now sit just one point and one place above the Premier League's relegation places.
Saturday's humiliation at the Stadium of Light saw supporters leave in their droves before half-time, by which point braces from Gabriel Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke had put the result beyond doubt.
The team was booed off at the break, and some angry fans had to be restrained by stewards as they berated Poyet and the rest of the Sunderland bench.
Reports on Sunday evening suggested that Poyet's future was in doubt after the manager took the blame for the defeat, and the club acted on Monday afternoon with their Premier League survival hopes hanging in the balance.
#SAFC have parted company with head coach Gus Poyet. Full statement here: http://t.co/Jqry0l4NYA pic.twitter.com/qrZ9CXTUuy
- Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) March 16, 2015
A statement on the club's official website read: "Sunderland AFC have parted company with head coach Gus Poyet this afternoon. The club would like to place on record its' thanks to Gus and wishes him well for the future.
"An announcement will be made in due course regarding the head coach position."
Chairman Ellis Short said: "I would like to thank Gus for his endeavours during his time at the club, in particular last season's 'great escape' and cup final appearance, which will live long in the memory of every Sunderland fan.
"Sadly, we have not made the progress that any of us had hoped for this season and we find ourselves battling, once again, at the wrong end of the table. We have therefore made the difficult decision that a change is needed."
Poyet told reporters after the game: "I am responsible. I am one of the few in football nowadays, I am honest. When things go right, I tell you I am responsible, and when things go wrong, I tell you I am responsible. I don't pick and choose.
"I hate people when they pick and choose and they change, they have got too many faces. I am responsible and, as the one who is responsible, you are the one who has to take it.''
The Guardian reported Glenn Hoddle and Dick Advocaat, who resigned as Serbia coach in November, were contenders to see Sunderland through to the summer, when the club will target Derby County's Steve McClaren to take over the club.
Jack Rodwell has admitted that the club's fans were right to boo and walk out early from the defeat to Villa, telling the Mirror: "I've never experienced anything ever like that before. We were told before kickoff it was a near sell-out. We were all very up for it. We knew it was a massive game.
"We let ourselves down so badly in the first half. When we went out there we kind of zoned out. Booing is part and parcel of football and you can't let it affect you.
"They are entitled to their opinion. If I had been watching that, I would probably have been doing the same. They pay their hard-earned money and the least we can do is try to pay them back and we didn't.
"All I can say is it's not through a lack of effort. We just need them to stay with us."
Poyet was in charge of Brighton from 2009 to 2013, and was made aware of his sacking in June of that year while working live on air as a television pundit.
The Uruguayan was appointed by Sunderland in October 2013 on a two-year contract, saving the Black Cats from relegation while also guiding them to the final of the League Cup where they were beaten by Manchester City.
Poyet signed a new two-year deal at the Stadium of Light last May, but the club have now decided to seek an alternative to keep them in the top flight this year.
The former Sunderland coach denied a Football Association charge of improper conduct after being sent to the stands after a confrontation with Hull manager Steve Bruce during a 1-1 draw at the KC Stadium on March 3.