Championship side Derby County have parted ways with head coach Steve McClaren for the second time in three seasons.
A damning statement from the Rams said the former England boss had overseen a significant, unexpected and persistent decline in results, team unity and morale .
Chairman Mel Morris added: Steve is a great coach, we have very talented players and first-class facilities but the heartbeat, commitment, focus and passion has been lacking something fundamental.
The Brighton game on Friday [a 3-0 defeat] was so far from what we expect to see from those wearing a Derby County shirt.
McClaren, whose first stint at Derby ended in May 2015, was reappointed last October after a stuttering start to the season under Nigel Pearson.
He won nine of his first 12 games in charge to take the Rams within two points of the play-offs on New Year s Eve, but they have only won three times since the turn of the year, costing the 55-year-old his job.
