Cheltenham Town have sacked manager Michael Flynn following a dreadful start to the season.
Flynn, 44, was relieved of his duties after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Oldham Athletic, which leaves Cheltenham bottom of League Two having lost seven of their nine league matches this season.
Flynn previously managed Newport County, Walsall and Swindon – and he leaves his role after 16 months with a record of 25 wins, 13 draws and 30 defeats in 68 games.
In a statement announcing the decision, The Robins, who finished 15th in League Two last season, said: ‘Cheltenham Town can confirm that we have parted company with manager Michael Flynn following today’s defeat to Oldham Athletic.
‘Everyone at the club would like to thank Michael for his efforts and contributions during his time with us and we wish him all the best in the future.’
Speaking after the Oldham defeat, the 44-year-old appeared to know the writing was on the wall.
Cheltenham Town have sacked manager Michael Flynn after a dreadful start to the season
The Robins are bottom of League Two and have lost seven of their nine league games so far
‘Performances like that get you the sack, I can’t be any more honest than that,’ he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
‘I can take responsibility for certain things, but I’m not just going to blame myself for that performance today from that group of players.
‘(That performance was) nowhere near good enough and unacceptable.’
When pressed further on his position and whether he felt he would be dismissed from his role, Flynn added: ‘I hope not, because I really love this club and enjoy working here.
‘But it is a results business and I’m not stupid. I’m someone that is going to come out here and speak open and honest, whether that is good or bad. And things have to improve.
‘And if I still am [in charge] they have to improve quick.’
Cheltenham were relegated back to League Two ahead of the 2024-25 campaign following three seasons in the third tier, and last month they were taken over by former Burnley chairman Mike Garlick.
Speaking at the time, Garlick backed Flynn to turn things around.
‘I’ve been in football a long time, I’ve had other managers that have been beaten five times in a row and we’ve stuck with them and turned it around – that’s what we’re hoping to do,’ Garlick had said.
‘We’ve got to turn things around, I think Mike’s the man to do that. Let’s get behind him and make him do that.’
However, Cheltenham lost four of their subsequent six games in all competitions and are now left propping up the EFL.
