Norwich fire Gunn after 'unacceptable' 7-1 defeat

Bryan Gunn was sacked as Norwich City manager yesterday less than a week into the season.

The Canaries, relegated from the Championship last term, crashed to a humiliating 7-1 defeat at home to Colchester in their opening League One fixture last Saturday.

A 4-0 midweek Carling Cup win at Yeovil could not save Gunn (right), a popular figure at Carrow Road from his days as their goalkeeper, and assistant manager Ian Butterworth has been placed in temporary charge for today's trip to Exeter.

Gunn took over as caretaker manager in January following Glenn Roeder's sacking. Despite a 4-0 win over Barnsley in his first game in charge, results soon dipped and City were relegated on the final day of last season.

Nonetheless, the 45-year-old was handed the permanent job in May, only for the Canaries' board to lose patience following Saturday's thrashing, during which Gunn was confronted by two angry supporters on the pitch.

Chief executive David McNally told the club's official website: "Bryan has worked tirelessly for this football club for more than two decades, not least since taking over team affairs in January. However, the board met this week following Saturday's unacceptable record home defeat in our opening game of the season.

"The board, after lengthy consideration, unanimously felt a change was in the best interests of all parties concerned, in order to give us the best possible chance of achieving our objectives."

*Notts County last night made the first big signing of the Sven Goran Eriksson era when they signed goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel from Manchester City for what is believed to be a club record fee.