Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has explained why the club have sacked Mauricio Pochettino as manager.
Spurs are currently 14th in the Premier League after a start to the season that has seen them win three, draw five and lose four of their opening 12 games.
A 7-2 loss to Bayern Munich at home in the Champions League was also a low point for a team that had faced Liverpool in the final of that same competition back in June.
Pochettino had suggested he could leave Spurs ahead of that match in Madrid if they had beaten the Reds and the final months of his reign saw the futures of key players such as Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld cast into doubt.
In an official statement published on the club website Levy said: "We were extremely reluctant to make this change and it is not a decision the Board has taken lightly, nor in haste.
“Regrettably domestic results at the end of last season and beginning of this season have been extremely disappointing.
“It falls to the Board to make the difficult decisions - this one made more so given the many memorable moments we have had with Mauricio and his coaching staff - but we do so in the club's best interests."
The Tottenham chairman paid tribute to the Argentinian who led the club to fourth straight top four finishes prior to this season and finished second in 2017.
Only a late collapse in form saw them stumble to third in 2016 behind champions Leicester City and Arsene Wenger's Arsenal in what was their best chance to win the title under Pochettino.
“Mauricio and his coaching staff will always be part of our history," added Levy.
"I have the utmost admiration for the manner in which he dealt with the difficult times away from a home ground whilst we built the new stadium and for the warmth and positivity he brought to us.
"I should like to thank him and his coaching staff for all they have contributed. They will always be welcome here."
However, according to Levy the club are in a good position to improve without Pochettino.
“We have a talented squad," he said. "We need to re-energise and look to deliver a positive season for our supporters."
