Ipswich sack Burley as Taylor takes over at Hull

George Burley became the sixth manager of the season to lose his job yesterday morning when he paid the price for Ipswich Town's disappointing start in their attempt to regain Premiership status at the first time of asking.

Little more than an hour before Burley's dismissal was made public, Third Division Hull City had caused a surprise by announcing the former England Under-21, Leicester City and Brighton manager, Peter Taylor, as the replacement for Jan Molby, who was sacked on Thursday.

Burley showed no signs of bitterness despite his sudden removal from a club where only 18 months ago he was named the Premiership's Manager of the Season for guiding them to fifth place. However, Ipswich then plunged to relegation last season and are currently 19th in the First Division after winning just three of their first 10 games.

"I know Ipswich Town Football Club is intent on returning to the Premiership and I have every faith that they can still do that this season," Burley said. "I wish them every success and now I am looking forward to beginning a new challenge."

Burley praised the fans for their backing during his time in charge and also revealed his pride at the number of good young players he has brought through the ranks. "I am proud of bringing through some of the best young players in the country such as Kieron Dyer, Richard Wright, James Scowcroft and, this season, Darren Bent and Darren Ambrose," Burley said.

The Scotsman took over at Portman Road in December 1994 and guided the club into the Premiership in 1999-2000 where they finished fifth and won a Uefa Cup place. But they struggled during the last campaign which resulted in their relegation. A 3-0 loss at Grimsby on Tuesday was the final straw.

The Ipswich chairman, David Sheepshanks, said he felt a change was essential due to the disappointing results of the past year. "After the heady successes of our first year back in the Premiership, last season was a year of bitter disappointments... This was despite a huge investment in additional players for combined transfer fees approaching £15m," he said.

"The board still took the view that George Burley was the right man to lead us back to the Premiership, but this season, even though retaining a Premiership squad, performances have not improved. Given our ambition to gain promotion this season the directors have decided that it is time to draw a line under a frustrating 12 months."

Tony Mowbray has replaced Burley on a caretaker basis and will be in charge for the home game against Sheffield Wednesday today.

At Hull, Taylor, who is returning to club management after leaving Brighton at the end of May, signed a three-year contract at Boothferry Park.

Taylor, who had recently been helping out with coaching at Peterborough, said: "I know Hull are in Division Three but they are much bigger than that – and everybody knows about the potential there. I'm very impressed with Adam Pearson as well. The first time I met him I thought that he would be a good chairman to work with."

* Exclusively in The Independent on Sunday tomorrow: Matt Holland, the Ipswich captain, on George Burley's departure