David Pleat yesterday paid the price for his side's dreadful start to the season when he was sacked by Sheffield Wednesday. Pleat (52), who spent 29 months in charge at the Yorkshire club, was summoned to the home of Wednesday chairman Dave Richards on Sunday, 24 hours after his team's 6-1 humiliation at Manchester United.
Wednesday slumped to the bottom of the Premiership following defeat at Old Trafford, and a club statement yesterday confirmed his dismissal, as well as announcing the appointment of first-team coach Peter Shreeves as caretaker manager.
"The Board of Directors of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club announce with immediate effect the termination of the contract of team manager David Pleat," it said.
"Although the players at the club must accept their part for the current league position, ultimate responsibility for the team's performance rests with the team manager, and the Board were unable and unwilling to allow the situation to drift further."
Pleat, the former Tottenham, Leicester and Luton boss, led Wednesday to within two points of a UEFA Cup place last season. But, despite spending £10 million on new players in the summer, he saw his side win just two of their 13 league games.
Ray Harford, Howard Wilkinson and Ron Atkinson are already being touted as favourites to replace Pleat, with the statement adding: "It is anticipated that an early appointment will be made."
