Leicester manager Craig Levein is to leave the club with immediate effect.

The 41-year-old Scot, who joined the Foxes from Hearts in November 2004, has paid the price for the club's poor form in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Coaches Peter Houston and Kenny Black will also leave, the club announced this evening.

Executive director Tim Davies said: "It is with huge disappointment that we have to announce the departure of Craig, Peter and Kenny.

"I would like to thank them for the work they have done for the club since their arrival in November 2004."

Davies pointed out that many of the club's objectives set out at Levein's appointment, such as reducing the squad's average age and operating more prudently, had been achieved but results were not good enough.

The Foxes beat Tottenham in the third round of the FA Cup earlier this month and face Southampton in the fourth round on Saturday, but they remain 22nd in the Championship.

Davies added: "Our league position is unacceptable and we need to make a change.

"We have had great support from our fans and all of us have one common goal, to avoid relegation and we see this as the way forward to do this."

Assistant manager Rob Kelly will take charge of the team in the short term with assistance from goalkeeping coach Mike Stowell.