Bristol Rovers' commanding 3-0 win over Oxford United on Saturday signalled the end of Karl Robinson's tenure at the Kassam Stadium, with the club confirming his sacking on Sunday.
Robinson has been in charge at Oxford for almost five years, leading the Us into the League One play-offs twice, but a dismal run of form capped by a resounding defeat to Joey Barton's Gas, which saw Scott Sinclair, Aaron Collins and Luca Hoole get on the scoresheet in front of a packed away section of 1,437 supporters.
The home crowd, however, had nothing to celebrate and there was a toxic atmosphere throughout the contest, with several chants of "We want Robbo out" and "Sacked in the morning" reverberating around the three-sided stadium. Banners calling for the 42-year-old's departure were unfurled at full time.
Oxford are 17th in League One after a run of seven defeats in eight games and it has cost Robinson his place as head coach.
"Oxford United can confirm the departure of Karl Robinson who leaves his role as head coach at the club with immediate effect," a spokesman said.
"The board would like to thank Karl for his hard work and efforts in the five years since he joined but recent results and performances mean that a change is needed.
"The search for a new head coach will be thorough and extensive and is already underway.
"While that work is undertaken the existing coaching staff of Craig Short, Leon Blackmore-Such and Wayne Brown will take charge of the first team with their immediate focus being our next game, away at Lincoln City on Saturday."
Barton and Robinson, both Liverpudlians who have known each other for decades, have had a friendly rivalry as managers which has been dominated by the Gas boss, who has never tasted defeat against the former MK Dons manager.
But Barton took absolutely no pleasure in seeing his friend going through difficult times, despite it being a good day for the Gas.
Speaking before Oxford announced their decision to part ways with Robinson, Barton hoped he would be given more time at the Kassam Stadium.
"I was torn because we were both coming in with poor form but you don't ever want to see that and I think the job Karl has done here will stand the test of time," Barton said.
"I think he has been outstanding and constantly produced play-off chasing groups. In the midst of that, they have sold a lot of talent and it is tough at these levels if you keep losing your best players to replace them
"He has done a wonderful job. He's had a bit of adversity and I've seen it with Karl's teams before, and they pick up and they go on an incredible run and I'm just hoping they give him time because that is what every manager needs.
"It's not Karl's fault the players at the moment aren't firing on all cylinders. He hasn't become a bad manager in the past six months. He has been at this for a long time and had a lot of success at MK and a lot of success here.
"The grass isn't always greener so I'm hoping they pick up next week and they can get winning for him and hopefully he can turn this club around again and show that upward trajectory and that play-off chasing team we've known Oxford to be."
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