DERBY, England (AP) — Billy Davies left as manager of last-place Premier League club Derby on Monday, the fifth topflight coach to lose his job after three months of the season.
Derby, which lost 2-0 to Chelsea on Saturday, has won only one game from 14 this season and is at the bottom of the 20-club standings with six points.
"We have decided mutually in the best interests of both parties that to go our separate ways is the correct decision at this time," Derby chairman Adam Pearson said. "Both parties will now move forward, which I’m sure will lead to future success for Billy Davies and Derby County."
Kevin Thelwell, the club’s academy director, will take charge on an interim basis for Saturday’s game against Sunderland. He will be assisted by goalkeeping coach Alan Fettis and senior players Matt Oakley and Darren Moore.
Pearson said he hopes to hire a full-time replacement shortly, with the aim of keeping the club from being relegated.
"I want to save our Premier League status this year and I’ve just told the players that," he said. "I don’t want to hear any more about them not being good enough to compete at this level."
Davies, who had been at Derby since June 2006, guided the Rams to promotion to the Premier League through last season’s playoffs. He signed a contract extension in July until 2010.
"I’ve had a wonderful time here," Davies told BBC radio. "There’s been lots of ups and lots of downs, but in the main I’m very proud of what has been achieved, and I’m now walking through these gates with my head very much held high."
Davies coached Preston from 2004 until joining Derby. He also managed Scottish club Motherwell from 1998-2001. As player, Davies was a midfielder for Scottish clubs Motherwell, Dunfermline, St. Mirren and Rangers.
Other Premier League managers who have left their clubs so far this season — either by mutual consent or by dismissal — are Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho, Tottenham’s Martin Jol, Bolton’s Sammy Lee and Wigan’s Chris Hutchings. Steve Bruce quit Birmingham to take over at Wigan.
Pearson said he was starting the search for a new manager immediately.
"We’re looking for someone with passion for winning games, with pride in this football club and someone looking for an opportunity at one of the biggest clubs in the country," he said. "There is no timescale but it needs to happen sooner rather than later.