Chelsea have sacked head coach Liam Rosenior after less than four months in charge, the club announced on Wednesday.
Tuesday's dismal 3-0 defeat at Brighton meant the Blues have lost five consecutive league games without scoring a goal for the first time since 1912 and are on the brink of failing to qualify for next season's Champions League.
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They are seventh in the Premier League, seven points adrift of fifth-place Liverpool with five games to play.
"This has not been a decision the Club has taken lightly, however recent results and performances have fallen below the necessary standards with still so much more to play for this season," Chelsea said in a statement. "Everyone at Chelsea FC wishes Liam every success in the future."
Calum McFarlane, previously head coach of the club's under-21 team, will take charge of the first team as interim head coach until the end of the season, having also taken temporary charge when Chelsea sacked Enzo Maresca in January.
"As the Club works to bring stability to the Head Coach position, we will undertake a process of self-reflection to make the right long-term appointment," the statement added.
Sources have told ESPN that the club is not currently in active discussions with any permanent candidate.
Liam Rosenior has been fired as head coach of Chelsea. Warren Little/Getty Images Rosenior joined the club in January -- replacing Maresca -- from Chelsea's partner club Strasbourg and signed a 5½-year deal.
There has been growing dissatisfaction among Chelsea supporters in recent months, with vocal opposition against owners BlueCo, who also own Strasbourg as part of their multi-club ownership model.
A protest against BlueCo's ownership of the club took place before last weekend's home defeat to Manchester United, and Rosenior was abused by some away fans as Chelsea produced an insipid display at Brighton on Tuesday.
Chelsea had been keen to retain Rosenior regardless of whether they reached next season's Champions League but have become concerned by the recent downturn in results and increasing unrest among supporters.
Sources earlier told ESPN that Chelsea's hierarchy was discussing the 41-year-old's future on Wednesday, while players were given the day off.
Following those talks, sources say, senior club officials informed players and staff first before making their decision public later on Wednesday.