Aston Villa have parted company with manager Remi Garde by mutual consent.
The Frenchman, who took over at the Midlands club in November last year, leaves them at the bottom of the Premier League, 12 points adrift from a position of safety.
"Manager Remi Garde has today left Aston Villa Football Club by mutual consent," said the club's hierarchy in a statement.
"The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Remi for all his efforts during a difficult period and wish him well in the future."
Eric Black will take charge of Villa until a permanent successor to Garde is appointed, with former Everton boss David Moyes, ex-Swansea City coach Garry Monk, and former Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson said to be among the frontrunners for the post.
Villa won just two of their 20 Premier League fixtures under Garde, giving him a lower victory percentage than any other manager in the club's history.
Mark Langshaw
