Former Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk was surprised to be sacked just hours after what he felt was the turning point of the club's season.
Monk lost his job on Saturday night after Boro beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at Hillsborough and was replaced by Tony Pulis on Boxing Day.
Boro had lost four of their previous six games prior to the Wednesday win but were only three points off the play-offs when he got the call from chairman Steve Gibson.
Monk said in a statement released through the League Managers Association: 'I was saddened to be informed by Middlesbrough Football Club on Saturday evening that my services as the club's manager and those of my staff were no longer required.