Brighton have confirmed manager Chris Hughton has left the club following the Seagulls' 17th-place finish in the Premier League.
They won just three of their last 23 league games and none of their final nine.
The club, who were Cardiff City's closest relegation rivals, ended the campaign two points ahead of the Bluebirds , who now drop back into the Championship next season.
Brighton have now confirmed that Hughton has left the club with immediate effect, along with assistant Paul Trollope and first-team coach Paul Nevin.
The club say the time is "right time for a change", and say the decision has been made due to how the club struggled in the second half of the Premier League campaign.
The news comes after Brighton's 4-1 defeat to Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.
The club have confirmed the process to find a successor has already begun.
Brighton's full statement
Chairman Tony Bloom said: "Chris has done an excellent job over the past four and a half years. First stabilising our club, reaching the play-offs in his first full season, securing our first ever promotion to the Premier League, and retaining our status in two successive seasons.
"Undoubtedly, this has been one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make as chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion, but ultimately one I have made due to how we struggled in the second half of the season.
"Our run of 3 wins from 23 Premier League matches put our status at significant risk. It is with that in mind, and the performances during that period, that I now feel it’s the right time for a change.
"Chris will always be very fondly remembered by Albion staff and fans as one of our club’s finest and most-respected managers.
"I would like to wish Chris, Paul and Paul – who have all worked extremely hard throughout their time here – every success for the future, and thank them on behalf of everyone at the club.
"They will always be welcome at the Amex, and will be remembered here with great affection."
