Charlton, anchored at the foot of the Premiership, on Monday parted company with their manager Iain Dowie after only 12 games in charge.
The club brought a premature end to Dowie's reign after Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Wigan left the Addicks with a meager eight points out of a maximum 36.
Charlton are likely to put assistant Les Reed in charge for their weekend Premiership clash at Reading.
Dowie, 41, took over from Alan Curbishley on a three-year deal in May after a controversial move from Crystal Palace.
He has spent almost ?10 million since taking over, and despite a poor Premiership run has led Charlton to the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
A statement on the club's official Web site confirmed his exit: "The Addicks announced on Monday night that head coach Iain Dowie had left Charlton."
Dowie received a vote of confidence from an unexpected source -- his former chairman at Palace, Simon Jordan.
Jordan, despite taking his former manager to court over last summer's move to The Valley, told Sky Sports News: "I think Charlton haven't really given him a chance."
"It's a shame because Iain is a bright young coach, and he's a strong character. One of the things Iain brings to a football team is strong leadership. I don't wish anybody the sack. Gutless, faceless people take those decisions, don't they?" he said.
"You don't get people after 12 games pulling the trigger because something hasn't gone right. You get behind the guy if he is doing things the right way," he added.
Jordan stopped short of saying he would take Dowie back at Palace, who are struggling under replacement Peter Taylor.
Curbishley ruled out any possibility of returning to his old job.
"I left Charlton for a new challenge. Going back would not be good for me or for the club," he said.
RSS