Manchester City sack Pearce but are in no rush to appoint successor

After just over two years in charge, Pearce was axed by the Eastlands club following a dismal campaign which saw City register an all-time low of 10 goals for a top-flight home campaign.

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Sacked: Stuart Pearce leaves Manchester City immediately and is likely to be replaced by Paul Jewell

Without a goal on home soil since New Year's Day, booed off in virtually every match since and with season-ticket sales about to slump, it seemed inevitable Pearce would leave this summer and City chairman John Wardle has wasted no time in getting rid of Kevin Keegan's successor, just 24 hours after the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham.

"Manchester City can confirm that the club has terminated the contract of manager Stuart Pearce with immediate effect," said a club statement.

In a simple one paragraph appreciation, chief executive Alistair Mackintosh thanked Pearce for his efforts on City's behalf and wished him well for the future.

The timing of Pearce's departure led to instant speculation about an 11th-hour bid to derail Sam Allardyce's move to Newcastle.

Allardyce had made no secret of his desire to join City but such a move was never on the cards, especially at prospective new owner Thaksin Shinawatra is not thought to be a fan.

Shinawatra's financial advisors are due to complete due diligence on the Blues this week and then provide indications as to whether they will proceed with a formal bid.

The response of the former Thai Prime Minister will be crucial in the timescale of the appointment of City's next manager, although Paul Jewell - who shocked Wigan by announcing his decision to quit only a couple of hours before Pearce's exit was confirmed - is not believed to be a candidate either.

Instead, City will take stock of the situation before deciding which direction they should head for a new manager.

If Shinawatra does take control at Eastlands, a big-name international replacement can be expected, with Gerard Houllier and Claudio Ranieri among the names that will be linked.

Should Shinawatra opt not to pursue his takeover aims, it is looking increasingly likely current chairman John Wardle will continue in the role, which could result in a home-based appointment.

However, it is virtually impossible to envisage Wardle following the lead of Wigan counterpart Dave Whelan by appointing Pearce's deputy Steve Wigley, who is almost certainly on his way out as well.

Preston's Paul Simpson - a former City player - Billy Davies, Chris Coleman and Danny Wilson have all been mentioned as potential candidates on fans' websites, as has Peter Reid, who steered City to a top half finish in all three of his seasons in charge of the Blues during the early 1990s.

Wardle had vowed to provide Pearce with a transfer kitty to strengthen his squad this summer and presumably the cash will be on offer to his replacement.

Yet Wardle will still be genuinely sorry it has not worked out for Pearce, who came within a missed Robbie Fowler penalty of earning the club a UEFA Cup spot in 2005.

Ultimately though, Pearce has lost his job through a combination of factors.

Despite being dubbed 'Psycho' during this playing days, Pearce's management style lacked authority and after allowing skipper Richard Dunne to attack his team-mates in public, he was powerless to prevent Joey Barton following suit in even more damaging fashion.

The complete lack of entertainment on offer during the latter half of the season on home soil was another issue, as was the supporter apathy which threatened thousands of empty seats at Eastlands next season.

And, in openly defying the City board by announcing his desire to become England Under-21 manager at this summer's European Championships, he undermined their authority in a similar manner to the way Dunne and Barton attacked his own.

With his family still based on their farm in Wiltshire, the smart money must be on Pearce becoming full-time England Under-21 coach next season, offering probably the most obvious route into the senior job he was touted for less than 12 months into his reign at City.