Sheffield Wednesday have confirmed that they have parted company with manager Brian Laws by mutual consent. His departure follows a dismal run of results — including yesterday’s 3-0 defeat at Leicester — which has seen the Owls slip into the Championship relegation zone

In a statement released today, Wednesday chairman Lee Strafford said: “Brian Laws has done a very good job as manager of Sheffield Wednesday, particularly in light of the low level of resources at his disposal in the first two years of his time with the club.

“However, we believe that change at this point can deliver fresh energy and direction into first-team affairs in order to arrest our recent run of results and help push the club up the Championship table.”

“A very positive legacy has been left by Brian in terms of the quality of the playing squad we now have at Sheffield Wednesday and we will now focus our attentions on securing the right manager to help these players push up the league in the short term and make us competitive for a return to the Premier League in the long term.

“Brian has put in an immense amount of work as manager at this club and he should be remembered for some genuine achievements on the pitch and for stabilising Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.

“On behalf of the club I must thank him for his unwavering dedication in his role as manager and we wish him the very best of luck for the future.”

Assistant manager Russ Wilcox and development coach John Dungworth have also left their positions at the club, with academy manager Sean McAuley taking over as caretaker boss.

McAuley previously served as caretaker manager between October and November 2006 following the departure of Paul Sturrock and the arrival of Laws at Hillsborough.