Stuart Gray: Sheffield Wednesday head coach sacked

Stuart Gray previously managed Southampton and Northampton Town

Sheffield Wednesday have sacked head coach Stuart Gray after 18 months in charge.

Wednesday finished 13th in the Championship last season, 18 points off the play-off spots and 19 clear of the relegation zone.

Gray's final game in charge was a 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road which denied Watford the Championship title.

He was appointed head coach in January 2014 after taking over on a caretaker basis when Dave Jones was sacked.

In a statement, club chairman Dejphon Chansiri said: "This is not a decision I have taken lightly but one that I believe is in the best interests of our club ahead of the 2015-16 season.

"The club will be taking a new direction next season and it is my belief that the appointment of a new head coach will help achieve my desire of bringing Premier League football back to Hillsborough.

"I would like to thank Stuart for his hard work and diligence on behalf of Sheffield Wednesday and wish him all the very best moving forward."

Gray becomes the fourth Championship manager to leave his job after the end of the season, following the departures of Brentford's Mark Warburton, Leeds' Neil Redfearn and Derby's Steve McClaren.

Meanwhile, coach John Deehan, who was brought to Hillsborough by Gray in 2014, has also left the club.