Byline: MARK REDDING
TREVOR FRANCIS may have been left shell-shocked after Sheffield Wednesday's thrashing but it was Howard Kendall who got the bullet from Notts County after a mere 12 weeks in charge.
County's latest self-inflicted wound came within an hour of Saturday's 3 1 home defeat by Barnsley. Yesterday Kendall, the club's third managerial casualty this season, said: 'I'm disappointed about the performance, gutted about the result, but I never believed such a ruthless decision would be made.'
His assistant Russell Slade was also dismissed, leaving County at the foot of the First Division and staring relegation in the face. Slade had taken over as manager in September when Mick Walker left Meadow Lane.
'We were not happy with the way the club was being run by the manager and his assistant,' County's vice-chairman John Mounteney said. Slade's former assistant Wayne Jones has been put in charge.
Francis, meanwhile, is hunkering down in the trenches after the Hillsborough crowd called for his resignation during the 7 1 horror show against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. 'Whilst we are losing I can do nothing but grin and bear it,' the manager said.
Manchester United may have won the battle of hearts and minds with Eric Cantona, who has reportedly said: 'I'm staying at United.'
The consortium hoping to rescue Gillingham appeared on the brink of collapse after its head, Ross Hemsworth, offered to resign last night.
Hemsworth, who had claimed access to pounds 10 million of investment, issued a statement saying he was 'currently unemployed'. He continued: 'I have offered my resignation to the consortium but feel sure they will not now wish to continue.'
* The Eintracht Frankfurt coach Jupp Heynckes has resigned in the wake of the 3 0 home defeat by Schalke.