Last updated on .From the section Partick Thistle

Caldwell steered Thistle to sixth in the Championship last season

Gary Caldwell has been sacked as the manager of Partick Thistle, the club have confirmed.

The former Scotland defender, 37, took charge in October 2018 after Alan Archibald's departure.

Thistle are second bottom of the Scottish Championship, without a league win this term.

A club statement said external-link it was the "unanimous" view of the board that change was required after a poor run of results.

Chief executive Gerry Britton, academy director Scott Allison and striker Kenny Miller will take charge of the team for this Saturday's league match against Dunfermline at Firhill.

Caldwell's assistant Brian Kerr has also been relieved of his duties.

"This is not an outcome anyone wanted however we believe this decision is in the best interests of the club and that we could wait no longer to make a change," said Thistle chairman David Beattie.

"On behalf of the board, I'd like to thank both Gary and Brian for all their efforts for Partick Thistle Football Club and wish them both every success in their future careers."

Miller, 39, says long-term the job is not for him having ventured into management with Livingston last season. "My role has not changed, I'm a player, I'll be playing on Saturday if selected," the striker told BBC Scotland.

"If I' required to help out in any other way possible, I'm more than willing to do that. I had a really good two-and-a-half months with him [Caldwell] and I believed in what he was doing."

The Glasgow club have endured a difficult time since relegation from the top-flight in 2018, and there is uncertainty about a potential takeover.

EuroMillions winner Colin Weir withdrew his financial backing last month because of uncertainty about potential new ownership, having set aside £6m for a new training facility.

Four new board members were also appointed in July.

Thistle remained in the Championship last season after avoiding the threat of relegation in the closing weeks of the campaign, with Caldwell taking over in October after Alan Archibald departed.

But two draws and three defeats from their opening five league games has cost the former Wigan and Chesterfield boss his job, though the club have reached the League Cup quarter-finals, where they face Celtic.