York City have this afternoon sacked manager Neal Ardley.
Ardley has been removed after just five months in the job.
The club confirmed his “immediate departure”. They issued a statement to say he will “work with the owners on a smooth transition”.
Tony McMahon will be appointed interim manager. A search is already underway for a permanent replacement.
Co-chairs Matt and Julie Anne Uggla said: “We’d like to thank Neal for his contribution to this incredible club both on the pitch and behind the scenes.
“We wish him well for the future. We now look forward to the next chapter for York City.
“We are working hard to be able to update the fans on the new appointment.”
When he was appointed on a three-year deal in September, Ardley was hailed as a “vastly experienced” manager who had been in charge of hundreds of games with a number of clubs at National League, League Two and League One level.
At the time, Matt Uggla said: “After getting to know the man I know the club is in very safe hands and he fits the vision and culture we are trying to build.”
His appointment followed in the wake of two very inexperienced managers, David Webb and Mikey Morton.
However, Ardley’s win ratio of 29% was less than that of David Webb at 30%.
When he was appointed City fans hoped for an upturn in the club’s fortunes. In reality, the team has only won one of the last five games.
Defeat at Barnet on Saturday left City one point above the relegation zone.
The sacking has been greeted with a mixed response from City fans. One told YorkMix: “This has made my day.” Another said they were shaken: “I thought he’d be given two to three years easily.”
Here are some of the reactions from the club Facebook page:
- “That is a ridiculous decision. Barnet aside, the momentum was creeping towards getting better. Twelve games isn’t long enough to make a difference for a new guy coming in, especially if he isn’t already in the wings.”
- “No surprise to be honest , he has not won enough games and relegation looks nailed on at the moment, these are desperate times.”
- “Honestly thought he would keep us up, he has done a lot of hard work since he came to the club, we were in an awful mess – now where do we go from here?”
- “We have to back the judgement of our owner who clearly believes rolling the dice is the best way forward. Thank you Neal for all your efforts in turning this club around. Time will tell whether this is ballsy and brilliant or disastrous.”
John Askey – the manager who oversaw City’s promotion to the National League in 2022 and was later sacked to the dismay of fans – was said to be at the club’s home game against Dagenham & Redbridge on 17 February.