TRANMERE have sacked manager Ian Dawes after a dismal start to the season.
Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Colchester was Rovers' sixth in a row in all competitions and left them 22nd in League Two with three points from seven games.
Former manager and current technical director Nigel Adkins takes over on an interim basis.
READ MORE: Colchester fans have their say on Tranmere win
Chairman Mark Palios said on the club's official website: "Ian Dawes got the team playing some attractive football but we haven't been able to convert that into points on the table.
"Injuries have no doubt played a significant part in that, but football is a results game and I felt we needed someone more experienced at the helm to steer us through this period with a depleted squad, as confidence will be key.
"I would like to thank Ian for his time with us, including his three periods as interim manager during which he won a remarkable seven games in a row, and I wish him all the best for the future."
READ MORE: Five talking points from Colchester's win over Tranmere
Colchester beat Tranmere 2-0 on Saturday, with goals from Joe Taylor and Bradley Ihionvien.
The U's were well worth their win and speaking after the game, Dawes admitted his side were well beaten.
He said: “I’m disappointed.
“It was a must-win game for us today and from the start of the game to the end of the game, it wasn’t acceptable today.
“Colchester looked more potent in the final third and Luke McGee did ever so well to keep us in the game, at times.
“Like I say, on the whole it was unacceptable.
READ MORE: Colchester player ratings after Tranmere victory
“It was a disappointing start to the game.
“I thought we were OK in the first few minutes but we gave away the goal and the manner in which we did made it an uphill battle.
“We never got to grips with the game at all today.
“We didn’t create enough chances, we didn’t pass the ball well enough and ultimately, we lost the game and we can’t complain about the result.
“I’m not naïve enough to think that after a defeat, it’s always going to be a question I’m going to get asked.
“Losing games of football, it doesn’t matter what level you’re at, you get asked those questions and you get a reaction from the fans at the end and they’re completely just in their views.
“They’ve got the right to vent and they’re as frustrated as I am with the results but I still think we can turn it around."
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