Leeds United sack Thomas Christiansen after Cardiff thumping leaves them seven points from playoffs

Simon Grayson is understood to be willing to take over

Leeds have dismissed Christiansen (Getty Images)

Leeds United have sacked Thomas Christiansen after seven months in charge.

The Elland Road club were beaten handsomely by promotion-chasing Cardiff City on Saturday to leave them seven points of the playoffs.

And after owner Andrea Radrizzani had said that the top six was the "minimum requirement" the club have acted swiftly to remove the Danish-born former Spain international.

The home crowd booed Christiansen's decision to replace Pierre-Michel Lasogga with Hadi Sacko in the second-half of Saturday's defeat, and pressure has been steadily building as injuries built up and results went downhill.

A club statement read:

"Leeds United can confirm that head coach Thomas Christiansen has left the club.

"Chairman Andrea Radrizzani and the Board of Directors would like to thank Thomas and his staff for their hard work over the past eight months.

"The club will be making no further comment at this time."

Simon Grayson is understood to be open to a return to the club he managed between 2008 and 2012, with another former Elland Road boss, Garry Monk, also available.