Cheltenham Town have sacked manager Mark Yates.
Yates, 44, who won promotion as a player with the club, has departed Whaddon Road after just short of five years in charge, which made him the third longest serving manager in English football's top four divisions behind Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and Paul Tisdale of Exeter.
A brief statement on the club's official website read: "Cheltenham Town have parted company with manager Mark Yates, with immediate effect.
"A popular figure and promotion-winning captain during his playing days, Yates returned to take charge at Whaddon Road on December 22, 2009 after leaving Kidderminster Harriers.
"He has since overseen more than 250 matches, twice guiding the club into the League Two play-offs (2011/12 and 2012/13)."
