The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired general manager John Ferguson Jr. and replaced him on an interim basis with former GM Cliff Fletcher.

"After full consideration of the Leafs' situation, it has become clear that change and a new direction is needed,'' Richard Peddie, president and CEO of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, said at a news conference on Tuesday afternoon.

"Regrettably, we did not win enough games to reach our goal, winning the Stanley Cup.

"The decision has been made that John will not be receiving a new contract at the end of this year, and it's in the best interests of the Leafs and of John to begin the transition immediately.''

Ferguson was told of the news late Tuesday morning. Later in the day, he told reporters he respected the board's decision.

"I'm proud of my record here, I've learned a tremendous amount," he said. "There's been somewhere in the neighbourhood of 11 general managers hired since I've been here and I am excited about my next opportunity."

Ferguson dismissed suggestions he was a lame-duck general manager who was restricted in making any moves.

"I have had all the duties typically reserved for the general manager," he said. "Everyone reports to superiors, to boards and our club is no different.

"I sought the responsibility and accountability as general manager and I acted accordingly."

Speculation about Ferguson's future with the club began to swirl when the team began to struggle recently.

The Leafs missed the playoffs the past two years and could miss the post-season again this year. They are currently in 14th place in the NHL's Eastern Conference standings with a 19-22-5-3 record.

The MLSE board of directors decided to make the management change when they met on Monday.

Peddie said Ferguson was given the adequate resources since he was hired in August 2003 to make Toronto a successful team, but the "results have fallen short of what our organization, including John, and our fans expect."

Peddie said he was grateful for Ferguson's dedication and commitment and wished him well in his career.

Fletcher first served as GM of the Maple Leafs from 1991 to 1997, twice leading the team to the Western Conference finals. The 72-year-old is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Leafs have asked Fletcher to lead the team through the rest of the season, which includes the upcoming trade deadline and toward the draft and free agent signing period.

"Cliff Fletcher is the ideal person to lay the groundwork of positive change for the Leafs,'' said Peddie.

'Custodian of the keys'

At the same news conference, Fletcher thanked Peddie for the opportunity, saying "it's nice to be back in Toronto."

Fletched described himself as "the custodian of the keys for a period of time," but told reporters he signed a 19-month contract. The first part includes managing, while the remainder will be acting as a consultant with the club. He said there is no timeframe for each role.

"I have no interest in becoming the long-term general manager," Fletcher pointed out. "The position is for a younger person."

Fletcher said the next few months will be challenging, but he looked forward to moving the club to "the next level so that it can compete with all the top teams in the league, which will eventually lead to playoff success."

He wouldn't comment on how he sees the Leafs right now, saying it would be unfair from his "outsider" viewpoint.

TSN's Darren Dreger, who broke the news of the firing on Tuesday morning, told CTV Toronto's Tim Weber the replacement process was unfair, as Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment initially told Ferguson his contract was going to be extended last June, but that never happened.

"I think for Ferguson, at that point, he recognized the writing was on was on the wall, and if the Toronto Maple Leafs as a team didn't leap out of the gate, then he would be in trouble," Dreger said.

Fletcher added he has no plans to change head coach Paul Maurice this season.

With files from The Canadian Press