Morecambe have announced they have parted ways with manager Derek Adams before the team has started their season.
The decision also comes just a day after the club were saved from extinction following a dismal period of uncertainty.
Adams, who became Shrimps boss for a third time last summer, had stuck with the club through their chaotic few weeks.
However, new owners Panjab Warriors have now made their first major decision since taking over from Jason Whittingham.
And they have confirmed they have sacked the manager who took charge of 54 games in his latest stint in the dugout.
The statement read: “Morecambe Football Club can confirm that we have parted ways with Derek Adams.
“Morecambe Football Club, now proudly backed by Panjab Warriors, would like to extend its sincere gratitude to Derek Adams for the leadership and steadiness he brought to the club during a testing chapter for the club.
“His return instilled direction and purpose, helping guide Morecambe into League One for the first time in their history and stabilised the team under immense pressure.
“As the club enters a new era, a strategic transition in leadership has been made with respect and appreciation for Derek’s services.
“We wish Derek Adams every success in his future endeavours.”
The sacking comes just a few days before Morecambe were planning to play their first game of the National League season.
Both of their games so far have been postponed due to the club having to cease first-team operations as a result of their ownership issues.
Derek Adams at Morecambe
2024 – 2025: 54 matches, 0.89 points per game
2022 – 2023: 88 matches, 1.15 points per game
2019 – 2021: 80 matches, 1.53 points per game
Fans left fuming
The decision to sack Adams has left the fanbase raging, just 24 hours after they finally felt some relief after the club was saved.
One supporter wrote: “What an awful decision, pathetic.”
Another said: “That’s an awful decision, great start, baffling.”
“Such a pathetic decision,” a third Morecambe fan replied.
“That’s a brave statement from the new owners,” a fourth wrote.
And a fifth added: “Unless there’s something magic lined up that’s ruined all optimism for me.”
What happened at Morecambe?
Morecambe were relegated from League Two to the National League last season after they finished bottom of the fourth tier.
Then, over the summer, the club became embroiled in ownership chaos, with financial issues almost leading to extinction.
Morecambe’s board of directors publicly revealed that the process of administration would begin if a sale wasn’t made amid a stalemate between owner Whittingham and Panjab Warriors.
But Whittingham stepped in to dismiss the board’s statement at the time, which led to him dismissing members from their posts.
That came amid wages not being paid to staff, with the club also being suspended from the National League.
It led to all football operations being stopped and the Shrimps were days away from having to disband, but now, after Panjab Warriors finally agreed a deal, the club has been saved and remains alive.