Nigel Adkins has stepped down as Tranmere Rovers boss – almost immediately after vowing to fight until the end of the season.
The ex-Southampton manager was in the dugout to witness the League Two outfit suffer a 1-0 home defeat to Accrington Stanley on Tuesday night.
It leaves Rovers sitting in 22nd spot – just two points above the relegation zone as fans fear a drop into the National League could be in order.
Speaking after the match, a defiant Adkins insisted he would do everything in his power to turn the club’s fortunes around.
He told the media: “You’ve got to have belief and you’ve got to have hope, there are still games to play and you can’t throw the towel in yet.
“You’ve got to keep working and you’ve got to keep going. It was a very poor defeat tonight, we’ve got to change it and we’ve got to change it quick.
“It’s my hometown club and I’m never going to walk away at any point.
“I’m under contract to the football club and if the owner wants me to stay then I’ll do everything I can, that’s all I can do.
“I’ll continue to do that until asked differently.”
But just two hours after Tranmere’s loss at Prenton Park, the club confirmed that they parted ways with Adkins by mutual consent.
Adkins, who played for Tranmere between 1983-1986, return to Rovers in May 2023 as their technical director, before taking charge on an initial interim basis in September later that year.
And club chairman Mark Palios was quick to heap praise on the 59-year-old amid Tranmere’s worrying situation.
He said: “Nigel is a hugely experienced manager with a long and distinguished career, who came back as technical director of his hometown club, where he had also been a player.
“He helped the Club by acting as interim manager before taking the role as Manager when needed last season and improved results, stabilising the season.
“No-one can doubt his commitment, effort or passion for Tranmere Rovers, but this season has been hampered by a litany of injuries to, and suspensions of, key players which have all contributed to the current league position.
“Compared to the optimism at the start of the season we both acknowledge our league position is disappointing and that football is a results business.
“As a consequence, we have sadly both come to the conclusion that a change of manager will give the team the best chance of making the most of the remaining 13 games.
“I don’t need to tell you that Nigel is a thoroughly decent man whose work ethic, commitment and professionalism through a very difficult period has been clear to see.
“He leaves with the club’s best wishes for the future.”
More to follow…