Football

"It is a decision we have taken reluctantly,'' said the Swansea City chairman, Huw Jenkins. "But it's a decision made in the best interests of Swansea City Football Club and our supporters.

"It is the first time in nearly 10 years that the club has parted with a manager in this way, but we had to remove the constant uncertainty surrounding the club and Michael's long-term future with us.

"I had a meeting with Michael today in a final attempt to support him and establish a way to improve the work of the backroom team to secure the results we need over the final 14 Premier League games.

"However, after thinking long and hard about the best way forward, I felt it was unlikely we would achieve a stable environment at the club to allow us to get back to basics and produce the performance levels that have served Swansea City so well over the last few years."

Does that mean that it wasn't a straightforward sacking but a difference of opinions followed by an agreement it wouldn't work? Or have they just given him the boot and tried to make it sound less cut-throat?