Grant McCann: Peterborough sack manager after no wins in seven matches

Peterborough was Grant McCann's first managerial role

League One side Peterborough have sacked manager Grant McCann after a run of seven matches without a win.

The 37-year-old former Northern Ireland international, who made 185 appearances for Posh and is a former club captain, was in charge since May 2016.

His last game in charge was Saturday's 1-1 draw against AFC Wimbledon.

His assistant manager David Oldfield will take caretaker charge when the team - who are 10th in the table - face Walsall in the league on Tuesday.

"I love Grant, he is a legend of this football club and always will be," said chairman Darragh MacAnthony.

"But it has not quite happened in management for him here and it was the right time to part ways.

"I thank him for all his efforts and wish him and his family the very best in the future."

Director of football Barry Fry added: "Grant has worked morning, afternoon and night on behalf of the football club.

"There is such a thin line between success and failure. There have been many decisions that have gone against us this season and we would certainly be in a better position in the league had they gone in our favour.

"His work ethic has been second to none and I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending him for any job at any other club."

'Fans split over the decision' - Analysis

Sam Edwards, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire's Peterborough United commentator

As a player, Grant McCann is considered one of the club's finest ever captains, but as a manager, he never quite delivered the requirements of chairman Darragh MacAnthony.

In his first season last year, the 37-year-old led Posh to 11th place in League One, 11 points off the play-offs. He leaves with them 10th in 2017-18, six points adrift of the top six and fans split by whether the decision was right.

When I sat down with MacAnthony last month he insisted that a top-six finish in League One was the minimum requirement, so with 13 games to go, he's acted now to try to save the season rather than wait until it's a mathematical impossibility.

As for McCann, he won 42 of his 105 games in charge, not a bad record in truth for his first managerial job, but it's fair to say the quality of football had deteriorated in recent weeks.