Aston Villa allegedly sacked manager Paul Lambert over the telephone.
The Scot was left shellshocked after hearing the news during a phone conversation with new chief executive Tom Fox, according to the Daily Star.
Lambert is said to have been taken aback by the nature of the delivery, expecting his dismissal to come during a face-to-face exchange.
The former Norwich City boss was relieved of his duties after a 2-0 defeat to Hull City left Villa in 18th place in the Premier League table.
The search is on for Lambert's successor, with Tim Sherwood, Jurgen Klinsmann and Neil Lennon among the bookmakers' favourites to land the Villa job.
