Bundesliga side Bayern Munich have sacked their manager Louis van Gaal.
Van Gaal had been due to leave last year's Champions League finalists at the end of the season but his exit has been brought forward. Bayern are currently fourth in the league and struggling to qualify for Europe next season.
Club bosses Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Uli Hoeness, Karl Hopfner and the director of sport Christian Nerlinger held talks after Bayern's 1-1 with Nurnberg and decided to replace van Gaal immediately with assistant Adries Jonker.
Jonker himself will make way for new permanent boss Jupp Heynckes in the summer.
"The board, director of sport and president of FC Bayern took this decision together," read a statement from the club.
"After the 1-1 draw in Nurnberg yesterday and the renewed slide to fourth in the table, and with the threat of missing out on the minimum aim of a place in the Champions League next season, this decision was taken in FC Bayern's best interests.
"Louis van Gaal's assistants Frans Hoek, Jos van Dijk and Max Reckers have also been relieved of their duties."