Championship side Aston Villa hofficially part ways with their manager Roberto di Matteo. The club has had a woeful start to their first Championship season as they are languishing at the bottom of the table at 19th position.
The club has appointed the highly rated manager only in June with a task of rebuilding the squad. However, a series of poor performances has seen the club sack the manager after another embarrassing loss of 2-0 to Preston last weekend.
A statement on the club’s official website read: ‘Aston Villa Football Club has today parted company with manager Roberto Di Matteo.
‘The Club decided to act following a run of disappointing results which has the left the team occupying 19th position in the Championship.
‘The Club would like to place on record its appreciation to Roberto for all his efforts in helping rebuild the squad and wish him well for the future.
‘Steve Clarke will take over as caretaker manager during the search for a new manager.
‘There will be no further comment from the Club.’
Di Matteo was only in charge at the club for 12 games making him the shortest served manager in the club’s history and have become the fifth manager to be sacked since February 2014.
The decision was taken as the new boss Xia been given £50 million for transfer spendings this summer in an attempt to make a comeback to Premier League but the string of poor performances in Championship meant they are fighting relegation battle to stay in the championship this season.
Meanwhile, caretaker manager Steve Clarke will have a huge task on his shoulders as he is determined to turn the tables around for the club which has only won one game so far this season.
Steve Bruce, David Wagner, and Lee Johnson are believed to be the early favourites as their search for new manager begins.