Ling replaced Gary Brabin as Cambridge manager

Cambridge United have sacked manager Martin Ling after 18 months in charge.

The U's have lost their last four games and Ling leaves the club 16th in the Blue Square Bet Premier, with coach John Schofield also departing.

A statement read: "The club has terminated Martin Ling's contract with immediate effect."

Director of football Jez George and assistant manager Paul Carden will take charge of the side for Tuesday's trip to Rushden & Diamonds.

The club added it would not make any further comment until Wednesday.

Ling, 44, was halfway through his self-imposed three-year plan to achieve promotion to the Football League.

606: DEBATE I have no idea who I think the board would choose, or if anyone would want the job. DubaiCUFC

But after a 10th place finish last season, which saw the U's flirt with relegation before ending the campaign strongly, and little progress being shown this term, the board have decided to act.

The former Leyton Orient boss has had to cope with a host of injuries this season as well as a tight budget, with the club being put up for sale in January.

And at the shareholders' annual general meeting on Monday chairman Paul Barry seemed to offer his backing to Ling, amid supporter unrest.

He told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "Every member of the board is just as passionate a fan as the people on the terraces and we feel your pain.

"It's a difficult situation, but we'd like to believe it will turn around."

Ling arrived at the Abbey Stadium in the summer of 2009 but quit nine days later after falling out with then chairman George Rolls.

He returned to the helm just a week later following Rolls' departure.

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