Championship manager sacked

Stoke City have sacked manager Nathan Jones after just nine months in charge of the Championship club.

Welshman Jones, 46, was brought in from then League One Luton Town in January to replace the sacked Gary Rowett.

But Stoke have won six times in 38 games under Jones and, despite back-to-back wins in mid-October, Saturday's defeat by Rowett's Millwall left the Potters four points adrift of safety.

Stoke, who face leaders West Bromwich Albion next, are 23rd in the table.

But the Potters could be back on the bottom by the time they play that game on Monday as Barnsley, who are level with them on eight points, face Bristol City at home on Friday.

Assistant manager Paul Hart and first team coach Joaquin Gomez have also left the bet365 Stadium with Rory Delap, Kevin Russell and Andy Quy taking charge of the first team while a new manager is sought "as swiftly as possible".

"I would like to thank John and Peter Coates, firstly for the opportunity to manage this football club and then for the continued support and patience throughout my time here," Jones said.

"I would also like to thank the supporters for their fantastic support. Finally, I wish the club the very best for the future."

Jones enjoyed huge success at Luton, winning more than half his games in charge of the Hatters.

But he failed to arrest a decline at Stoke that was set in motion while Mark Hughes was still manager - and then included relegation from the Premier League in 2018.