Bottom club Barnsley sack manager Flitcroft

The Reds have won only twice in 17 league games this season and a 10th defeat, 3-0 at the hands of fellow strugglers Birmingham, was one too many for the Oakwell board.

Former Bury and Rochdale midfielder Flitcroft, 39, was in charge of the club for less than a year after taking over from Keith Hill in December 2012.

Flitcroft, appointed permanent boss after two wins in three games as caretaker, guided the South Yorkshire club to safety on the final day of last season.

A statement on the club's official website said: "Barnsley Football Club can confirm first team manager David Flitcroft has been relieved of his position at the football club.

"Technical coach Martin Scott and strength and conditioning coach Guy Proctor have also parted company with the club.

"Assistant manager Micky Mellon has been placed in caretaker charge of first-team affairs, assisted by development coach Paul Heckingbottom in the meantime. "There will be no further statements from the club until Wednesday. "The club would like to place on record their appreciation and thanks for what David, Martin and Guy have achieved."

Barnsley head to Brighton in the Championship on Tuesday night.