Crystal Palace sacked manager Patrick Vieira on Friday after a miserable run from a win in 14 Premier League games dragged them into a relegation battle.
The London club, without a win under the former Arsenal and France midfielder in 2023, sit 12th in the table but just three points above the relegation zone.
The last nine clubs are separated by just five points, increasing the pressure as the season enters its final months.
The French world champions’ sacking takes the number of redundancies in the 2022/23 season to nine, down one from last season, tying the Premier League record.
“It is very unfortunate that this difficult decision has been made,” chairman Steve Parish said in a statement from the club.
“Ultimately, the results of recent months have put us in a precarious league position and we felt a change was necessary to give ourselves the best chance of retaining Premier League status.”
Parish praised Vieira for making a “significant” impact on the club. Palace finished last season in 12th place and reached the FA Cup semi-finals.
The club said in its statement that the process of appointing a new manager is underway.
Three members of Vieira’s coaching staff – Osian Roberts, Kristian Wilson and Said Aigoun – have also left Selhurst Park.
Vieira, 46, replaced Roy Hodgson ahead of the start of the 2021/22 season and was lauded for delivering an exciting brand of football.
But this season they have scored just 21 goals in 27 games – only three clubs have scored fewer goals.
Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat by Brighton was their third loss in a row.
Palace travel to leaders Arsenal on Sunday with U21 boss Paddy McCarthy in charge.
Vieira, who won three Premier League titles as a player with the Gunners, previously managed New York City and Nice.
– ‘Fresh impulses’ –
The atmosphere in the camp is good despite the team’s miserable run, Parish told Sky Sports.
“You know, everyone really loved Patrick,” he said. “The players had all the time in the world for him. You saw from the performances that he never lost the players at all, they all ran and played for him.
“I think nothing just worked out, so the mood was good, it was fine, but of course we hope there will be a bit of a breath of fresh air, some other ideas, maybe we’ll surprise the opposition a little bit by doing something do something else.”
Hodgson is reportedly among favorites to take over, even if it’s only until the end of the season.
The 75-year-old former England manager announced his retirement in 2021 after four years at the helm of his youth club.
Other names linked with the job include ex-Leeds manager Jesse Marsch, former Borussia Dortmund boss Lucien Favre and Ralph Hasenhuttl, who was sacked by Southampton in November.
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Source : sports.yahoo.com