Dundee have sacked manager Paul Hartley after a run of seven straight defeats which has seen the Taysiders drop to second bottom of the Scottish Premiership, five points ahead of Inverness with five games remaining.
Dundee have won only eight league games this season and their first post-split fixture is at Motherwell on Saturday week.
Hartley joined the Dens Park outfit in February 2014 and took the club up from the Championship to the top flight in his first season.
A club statement read: 'Dundee Football Club have this afternoon relieved manager Paul Hartley of his duties.
'Paul took charge of the club in February 2014. He took the club to the SPFL Championship title before clinching a top six finish in our first season back in the top flight.
'Last season after missing out on the top six on the final day, the club went on to finish 8th in the top division.
'The club currently sit 11th in the Premiership table and the Board of Directors feel a change is needed ahead of five vital matches between now and the end of the season.
'Managing Director John Nelms is currently addressing the players and staff and the club will release a further update shortly.
'John Nelms said, 'I want to thank Paul for his time with the club. Unfortunately, the business we are in, sometimes change is necessary to achieve the goals we have set. I think somebody in the near future is going to get a good hard working manager.''
After Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Hamilton Hartley said: 'The performance disappointed me in certain aspects. We've got to handle the criticism. I understand that too.
'It's a major blow for us. How do we change it? It's hard because we've done everything we can.
'In terms of systems, players, different shapes, personnel. Trying to find a way to win a game and we're not doing it just now, we're not quite good enough.
'I can understand the fans booing. If you're on a run like we are the first thing they'll come for is the manager. I'll handle that. It's part and parcel of football.'
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