Iain Dowie has been sacked as manager of Coca-Cola Championship strugglers Coventry City, the club announced today.

Coventry lie 19th in the table, four points above the relegation zone, following their 1-0 defeat at Preston North End on Saturday - their fifth loss in six league games.

Tim Flowers, the assistant manager, and Bob Dowie, another member of the backroom staff, have also left the Ricoh Arena, with Frankie Bunn and John Harbin placed in charge of team affairs for tomorrow's league match at home to Cardiff City.

A statement on Coventry's official website said: "Iain Dowie, Tim Flowers and Bob Dowie have been relieved of their duties with immediate effect."

The former Northern Ireland international, 43, took over at Coventry last February, replacing Micky Adams, who was sacked the previous month.

Dowie had been out of work after leaving Charlton in November 2006. He had been in charge at The Valley for just six months but paid the price for a poor start to the Premier League season.

Coventry finished 17th last season but this term have failed to repeat the performances which saw them beat Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup and thrash Blackburn 4-1 at Ewood Park in the FA Cup.

In 49 games in charge, Dowie won 20, lost 21 and drew 8.