Leicester City are searching for a third manager in eight months after sacking Craig Shakespeare just 10 games into a three-year contract.
Sporting director Jon Rudkin dismissed Shakespeare at the club's Belvoir Drive training ground having allowed him to take charge of a behind-closed-doors friendly against Nottingham Forest.
Senior players were seen cheerily chatting to Shakespeare as the game featuring squad members took place, but had left by the time the 53-year-old was told his fate at 2.30pm and only found out the news by reading MailOnline Sport, much to their disgruntlement.
Assistant Michael Appleton will take charge of Leicester's game at Swansea on Saturday while the hunt for a permanent replacement begins in earnest.