Tony Pulis: Sheffield Wednesday sack manager after 10 matches in charge

Tony Pulis has been sacked as Sheffield Wednesday manager after 10 matches in charge with the club next to bottom of the Championship.

"The performances and results have not been of the level expected since Tony Pulis was appointed," chairman Dejphon Chansiri said in a statement on the club website.

"There are also other issues which have had a bearing on this decision."

Former Barnsley manager Jose Morais and ex-Brighton and Sunderland boss Gus Poyet are among the names that have already been linked with the role.

But Owls first-team coach Neil Thompson will take charge of the side until a more permanent appointment was made.

Thompson's first game is Tuesday night's visit of Middlesbrough, another of the vastly experienced Pulis' 10 former clubs.

Ex-Bournemouth, Gillingham, Bristol City, Portsmouth, Stoke City, Plymouth Argyle, Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and Boro boss Pulis was appointed on 13 November, following the departure of Garry Monk.

But he won just one match, the 1-0 victory at home to Coventry City on 19 December.

Wednesday wages rumpus close to being resolved

Wednesday began the season with a 12-point deduction for breaking EFL spending rules, which was halved on appeal in November.

But, approaching the mid-point of the season, they still lie second bottom of the table on 13 points from 21 games, three from a position of safety.

The Professional Footballers' Association was called in to offer advice just before Christmas when Wednesday paid their players only a percentage of their November salaries.

But the club are now expected to pay those overdue wages by the end of December.

Wednesday were at risk of being placed under a transfer embargo when the window opens on 1 January unless the outstanding sums were paid.

However, it is understood that owner Chansiri is in the process of resolving the issue, which had been a source of friction between him and Pulis.