West Ham United's final game of 2019 also turned out to be Manuel Pellegrini's last stand as head coach.
Just hours after the Hammers slumped to a 2-1 home defeat by Leicester City, it was announced that the former Manchester City and Real Madrid boss had been sacked.
The decision comes following a mixed 18 month spell at the London Stadium for the Chilean tactician and he had been facing increasing pressure following some poor results this season.
A statement via the club's official website reads: "West Ham United can confirm that Manuel Pellegrini has left the Club with immediate effect.
"Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold, along with the Board and everyone at West Ham United, would like to place on record their thanks to Manuel for his service over the past 18 months.
Mr Sullivan said: "It is with great disappointment that we've had to make this decision.
"Manuel is a gentleman and it has been a real pleasure to work with someone of his calibre.
"However, it has become clear that a change is required to get the Club back on track in line with our ambitions this season.
"We felt it was necessary to act now in order to give the new manager as much time as possible to try and achieve that goal.”
Lukasz Fabianski has become the first Hammers player to speak out following Pellegrini's departure.
Although, it had nothing to do with the Chilean. Instead the Poland international took to social media and reacted to his first appearance in 11 Premier League matches.
"Happy to be back on the pitch," he tweeted.
Fabianski had an eventful return in between the sticks for West Ham against the Foxes.
He conceded a penalty for a foul on Kelechi Iheanacho but redeemed himself by saving Demarai Gray's spot-kick but could do nothing about the two Leicester players from finding the back of the net either side of half-time.
The 34-year-old along with the rest of the Hammers squad will await the next managerial appointment at the London Stadium with football.london being told the club are playing it safe by bringing back David Moyes.
