Weston-super-Mare Football Club have sacked their manager Marc McGregor tonight (Thursday).
McGregor has been relieved of his duties at The Optima Stadium with the Seagulls bottom of the National League South.
Weston have endured a miserable campaign, winning only five league games, although it seemed McGregor had his side heading in the right direction with wins over Slough Town and Torquay United in recent weeks.
However, a three-game winless run – including Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at St Albans City – has seen the Seagulls left seven points from safety and cost McGregor his job.
Only a miraculous upturn in form could see the Seagulls avoid relegation to the Southern League with only eight games to play.
His assistant Mark McKeever will take the reins on a caretaker basis, and the club’s board has vowed to change the way it selects managers – with more information to be revealed tomorrow (Friday).
Weston’s top brass intend to find a player-manager to replace McGregor – a post which has gone increasingly out of vogue in recent years.
A lengthy statement also reveals the club intends to keep McGregor involved in BS24 in some capacity.
A club spokesman said: “We have today made the decision that a change of management is required.
“This has been a mutual agreement between us and Marc. Marc has always had the club’s best interest at heart and is a loyal supporter.
“We are therefore in discussions with Marc to offer him a role within the club.
“He can offer a lot to the club and will be involved in the recruitment process but both parties are disappointed by the results on the pitch and that is the reason for this decision.
“The board has been assessing the situation over the past few weeks to ensure we plan well for the future, although we have not given up hope of avoiding relegation.
“We are realistic and understand major improvements on the pitch will have to happen for us to turn this around.
“Our main focus is to ensure that the club has a more stable footing and can only improve from this date on.
“We have therefore made the decision to change how we appoint the next manager.
“In the past we have appointed part-time managers, alongside the part-time playing squad. We now believe this is the right time to appoint a full-time manager, preferably a player-manager.
“This will ensure he has the required time to scout players, scout opponents and progress the squad and academy by offering more time to training.
“Further information will follow tomorrow.”
McGregor overcame a difficult start in charge to secure a 12-placed finish in his debut campaign, but his second term in charge has been nothing short of a disaster with the Seagulls only winning one home game in the league.
He was successful in leading Weston to the first round proper of the FA Cup this season, when his side lost 2-0 to Wrexham. McKeever is set to be in charge for the Seagulls trip to Chelmsford City on Saturday, and they must upset the odds in Essex if they are to boost their survival hopes.
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