Talbot parts with Oldham

Last month, Brian Talbot led Oldham to their best result for years, when they knocked Manchester City out of the FA Cup. Yesterday, he was on his way out of Boundary Park by mutual consent.

The Latics chief executive, Alan Hardy, said it had been a "sad day". Following boardroom talks,Talbot, 51, left with immediate effect, with his assistant, Tony Philliskirk, taking charge for Saturday's League One match at Huddersfield.

Since the former West Bromwich Albion and Rushden & Diamonds manager led his side to their celebrated Cup win over Manchester City last month, they have lost their last seven games, slipping to 19th in the table.

"It's always a sad day when you part company with a good friend," Hardy said, observing that a string of injuries to key players like the striker Rodney Jack and midfielders Chris Killen and Jermaine Johnson had not helped Talbot's cause.

"Brian's been a wonderful man to work with and it's always a sad occasion when a character like Brian does leave. He's been with us almost 12 months and has worked extremely hard in very difficult circumstances. There's no doubt, he came in last year and saved us from relegation.

"The owners sat down with him and, to be fair, Brian was more concerned about the club rather than his own position. But both parties agreed that a change was probably in the best interests of the club."

The Oldham board will meet again during the next seven days to discuss Talbot's replacement, although Hardy said there would be no rushing to make a new appointment.