CITY today confirmed the contract of manager Bryan Gunn has been terminated with immediate effect.
Assistant Manager Ian Butterworth will take temporary charge of the team for tomorrow's Coca-Cola League One clash away to Exeter City while the Board identifies the right manager to take the Club forward on a full-time basis.
Scottish international Gunn made 477 first team appearances for Norwich between 1986 and 1998 and was twice voted Norwich City Player of the Year in 1988 and 1993. He went on to hold several roles behind the scenes at the Club at Carrow Road and Colney when his playing career finished.
He was appointed caretaker boss in January 2009 after Glenn Roeder's contract was terminated and started his managerial career with a thumping 4-0 win over Barnsley at Carrow Road.
However inconsistent results in the remaining 18 league games of the season saw City relegated from the Championship after a 4-2 defeat away to Charlton on the last day of the season.
In May the Board appointed Gunn and his backroom team of Ian Butterworth and Ian Crook to take the Canaries into this season.
But after a productive summer, which saw an unbeaten programme of friendlies and 12 new players brought in, City slumped to a 7-1 defeat to Colchester in their League One curtain-raiser at Carrow Road on August 8.
Despite Tuesday night's 4-0 Carling Cup win at Yeovil, the Board felt a change of leadership and direction for the first team squad was essential to maximise the Club's chances of achieving promotion back to the Championship.
City Chief Executive David McNally, speaking on behalf of the Board, said: "Bryan has worked tirelessly for this Football Club for more than two decades, not least since taking over team affairs back in January.
"However the Board met this week following Saturday's unacceptable record home defeat in our opening league game of the season.
"Our goal this season remains unchanged. We want to be promoted and the next manager of Norwich City will have that as his number one priority. 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.
"We'd like to thank Bryan for his honesty and passion for the Club, and for all he has done for us as manager and generally over the years. He has never given of anything other than his best for the Canaries and he will always be welcome at Norwich City.
"Ian Butterworth will take charge of the team for the game at Exeter, with the Board already working on identifying the right man to take the Club forward on a long-term basis."
The Club will not be commenting or making any further statements until after tomorrow's game at Exeter City.
