Promotion-chasing Stourbridge have parted company with Ian Long with the seventh-placed Glassboys only a point adrift of the play-offs spots.
The BetVictor Southern League Central Division club announced the shock departure of Long by “mutual consent” in a short statement at lunchtime on Monday.
Long’s side lost 2-0 at Banbury United on Saturday and he had been under fire from some fans for mixed results since starting his reign strongly.
The Glassboys said: “Following a meeting this morning with Andy Pountney and Andy Bullingham, the club has parted company with Ian Long by mutual consent.
ANNOUNCEMENT – Glassboys part company with Ian Longhttps://t.co/lfbVZ17BOG pic.twitter.com/O7rhDAk7nv
— Stourbridge FC (@StourbridgeFC) February 24, 2020
“The club wishes to place on record our thanks to Ian for his efforts during his time as manager of Stourbridge Football Club, which saw the Glassboys reach the 1st round proper of the FA Cup earlier this season.
“We sincerely wish him all the best for the future. Further announcements will be made by the Club in due course.”
Long left Alvechurch in May 2019 after leading Church on a money-spinning run in the FA Cup, pictured, to succeed long-serving Glassboys boss Gary Hackett who stepped down after 16 years at the helm after failing to win promotion.
He led Stourbridge to the first round of the FA Cup in November, losing the replay to Eastleigh 3-0 after drawing 2-2 in the first tie.
The newly managerless Glassboys are due to travel to fourth-placed Royston Town on Tuesday night before hosting Lowestoft Town at the War Memorial Athletic Ground on Saturday.
Make sure you get your copy of The Non-League Paper on Sunday for the latest news and action from across Non-League over the last seven days.
As well as exclusive match reports and pictures from all of Saturday’s fixtures in the Vanarama National League, the BetVictor-Sponsored Isthmian League, Southern League and Northern Premier League, The Non-League Paper’s live coverage extends all the way to Steps 5 and 6.