Dundee United have confirmed the departure of manager Jackie McNamara.
McNamara's exit had been widely expected following a poor start to the Ladbrokes Premiership campaign where they have taken just five points from their opening nine matches and the former Scotland international held showdown talks with the board over the weekend.
A club statement late on Monday night read: "Dundee United Football Club and Jackie McNamara have mutually agreed the departure of McNamara as first-team manager with immediate effect.
"Following widely reported talks between the chairman and McNamara, the club and McNamara agreed that a change was required to improve the results of the club's first team, with immediate change being required following the club's start to the season."
The statement continued: "Simon Donnelly, Darren Jackson and Craig Hinchliffe have also left the club. The club thanks Messrs McNamara, Donnelly, Jackson and Hinchliffe for their service.
"The club will commence recruitment for a new first-team manager and associated staff."
Former Partick manager McNamara has led United to three top-six places and two cup finals since taking over in January 2013, although a place in Europe and silverware has eluded them.
But they have struggled this year amid the sales of key players Gary Mackay-Steven, Stuart Armstrong and Nadir Ciftci to Celtic.
Since the sale of the first two at the end of the winter transfer window, United have only won four out of 24 league games.
The club expected better results after giving McNamara money to rebuild his squad in the summer, which saw him bring in the likes of Billy McKay, Darko Bodul, Coll Donaldson and Mark Durnan.
They are believed to have the fourth-highest playing budget in the top flight and have given the manager more money to spend than previous bosses.
Yet there was no sign of imminent improvement following their worst start to a season for 12 years and McNamara paid the price following a derby defeat to St Johnstone at the weekend.
Source: PA
