Norwich City have terminated Alex Neil’s contract, bringing an end to the 35-year-old manager’s two-year reign at Carrow Road.
The first-team coach, Alan Irvine, will take charge for Saturday’s home game against Blackburn Rovers.
In a statement on the club’s website which appeared to concede any hope of winning promotion back to the Premier League this season, the Norwich board said they needed a new manager in place for “the crucial summer transfer window”.
The statement added: “The directors would like to place on record their sincere gratitude to Alex for all of his hard work and for the fantastic achievement of guiding us to the Premier League in 2015, via a memorable play-off final success against Middlesbrough at Wembley.
“Through tough seasons last year in the Premier League and this year in the Championship, Alex has always given his all to the club and we wish him every success in his future career.”
Norwich had been in contention for a Championship play-off place before a run of five league matches without a win left them nine points from Sheffield Wednesday in sixth place, with 10 games remaining.
