Sheffield Wednesday chairman Milan Mandaric has confirmed manager
Alan Irvine has been sacked after just over a year in charge at
Hillsborough.
Former Preston boss Irvine, 52, has been axed by
the npower League One club following a six-game winless run which
culminated in Tuesday's 5-3 defeat at Peterborough.
Mandaric told
Press Association Sport: "It is unfortunate, but this had to take
place. The decision has been made on what is in the best interests of
the club. We will be making further announcements in due course."
The
Owls' defeat at Peterborough left them 12th in the table, eight points
adrift of the play-offs and only five above the relegation zone.
Irvine,
who held crisis talks with Mandaric on Wednesday after the heavy loss
at London Road, had been backed by his chairman during the January
transfer window.
Reda Johnson, Michael Morrison, Mark Reynolds, Gary Madine and Isaiah Osbourne have all arrived at Hillsborough in recent weeks.
Former
Wednesday player Gary Megson and ex-Crystal Palace, Coventry and Hull
boss Iain Dowie have emerged as early candidates to succeed Irvine, who
signed a three-and-a-half year contract when he replaced Brian Laws as
manager in January.
Assistant manager Rob Kelly and coach Billy Barr will take charge until a successor for Irvine is found.
Source: PA