Leeds United relieved much-loved head coach Marcelo Bielsa of his duties yesterday morning with a statement on the club's website.
Chairman and majority shareholder Andrea Radrizzani described it as the 'toughest' decision he has had to make during his time at the club.
Bielsa was pictured signing autographs, thanking supporters and posing for photographs at the club's Thorp Arch training ground yesterday night as he bid farewell.
Go here for all the latest Leeds United news and opinion
Currently, 48-year-old coach Jesse Marsch is favourite to succeed the Argentine coach, with an announcement expected.
Here is everything Andrea Radrizzani said in his video message to supporters.
"Dear Leeds United fans,
"It was a very difficult week, for me, for all of you, I'm very sad as you are for the departure of Marcelo Bielsa. He was an icon for all of us, he is a legend, a man who made us achieved the Promised Land: the Premier League, and changed the history of this club. I won't forget this, I'm very grateful to him and all the staff who worked very hard in three-and-a-half years.
"I learned a lot from Marcelo, I hope one day we will be meeting very soon again as friends and chatting about our good time together. Unfortunately, the form of the team made me generally believe that we needed to have a change. We were planning a successor for the summer and we had to anticipate this decision now as I could see something was broken in the club and I have the interest of the club and maintaining the Premier League as my first goal and first interest.
"So, I took this difficult decision, I take the responsibility of this decision and I'm very confident together with your support, with the quality of our players, the commitment the players have for this club, we will be able to stay in the Premier League and continue to grow in the following season.
"I thank you for your trust, and please support the guys because we have a lot of joy still to deliver for you from Elland Road."
Radrizzani quickly retweeted the video, reiterating that he will act in the club's best interests.
"I invested money, time, emotions in this Club and will keep working hard and leading for what I believe is the best of the club (even when is painful and difficult as these time)," he added.
Bielsa managed 170 matches for Leeds United, winning 81 over a three-and-a-half year period at Elland Road in which he achieved promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since Leeds' 2004 relegation.
For the latest Leeds United news direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
