Bristol City have sacked manager Nigel Pearson following their 2-0 defeat to Cardiff City in the Severnside derby on Saturday.

The Robins suffered a heavy defeat on their visit to the Welsh capital, with goals from Perry Ng and Rubin Colville condemning them to a second successive league defeat and leaving them in 15th place in the table after collecting 18 points from their first 14 games. .

Although they are just five points off the play-off place, Ashton Gate bosses have had enough and confirmed on Sunday that they will part ways with Pearson, who has been at the club since February 2021. The 60-year-old will leave Bristol. with immediate effect alongside first-team coach Jason Ewell and medical director Dave Rennie.

Confirming Pearson’s departure, club chairman John Lansdowne said: “This was a difficult decision as we recognize and appreciate how much Nigel has done for the club over the last two and a half years on and off the basketball court. Nigel is highly respected by staff and players and is very supportive of the academy structure and our women’s team.

“We all wanted Nigel to achieve our promotion ambitions, but given our recent results, we believe now is the time to make a change to give the club the best chance of success.”

Assistant manager Curtis Fleming will act as interim manager, supported by Ali Hynes and Kalifa Cisse, while the club searches for Pearson’s replacement.

The news comes less than 24 hours after the manager criticized the Bluebirds following his team’s derby defeat, saying the Robins were in no way defeated when they visited the Cardiff City Stadium.

“To be honest, I don’t think there was much in the game,” he said after the game. “We conceded two goals in our own possession. Unfortunately we don’t believe enough. They were two teams that didn’t play with much creativity.

“Cardiff may be good, but I wouldn’t put them up there among the best teams. In general. I wouldn’t say that at all. In the last games we faced Leeds, Ipswich, who are doing well, and Leicester. We lost all these games by a goal.

“In fact [Cardiff] “I don’t think we really created anything in the game,” he added. “Most of their stuff came from us when we turned the ball over. “That’s how you want to see it.”

Even when it was pointed out that Cardiff are now fifth, Pearson doubled down, adding: “Good for them. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter if they are of good quality or not. You asked me a question and I told you what I was thinking about it.

“There’s no one in this room watching that game saying, ‘Yes, Cardiff are a very good team compared to Bristol City.’ I don’t believe. If you say that, I’m not sure if you’re watching the right game because I don’t think it’s a high quality game. It was a game in which they took advantage of our mistakes. “They didn’t beat us.”