• Buckle leaves club just a point above the League Two relegation zone • Russell Milton will take charge as caretaker for game against Bury

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Cheltenham Town have parted company with their manager Paul Buckle by mutual consent after just 13 games and 79 days in charge.

The former Luton manager, who was appointed as Mark Yates’s successor in November, won only once during his time in charge and leaves the club just a point above the League Two relegation zone. Russell Milton will take charge as caretaker for Saturday’s game against Bury.

A club statement read: “The board of Cheltenham Town FC have reached an agreement with manager Paul Buckle for him to leave the club.

“Paul has departed from Cheltenham Town by mutual consent and with immediate effect. Neither party will be making any further statement on this issue. Head of academy coaching Russell Milton will take caretaker charge of the first team for Saturday’s home match against Bury.”

Buckle’s future was thrown into doubt earlier this week when the club chairman, Paul Baker, was forced to deny his manager had left the club, though he did admit Buckle’s position was “under scrutiny”. The club have also confirmed that assistant Rob Edwards has left by mutual consent.