Gillingham have sacked manager Peter Taylor with the club fourth from bottom in League One.
The well-travelled 61-year-old returned to the Priestfield Stadium in November 2013, but his second spell in charge has lasted just over a year.
Three wins and two draws from their last seven games have not been enough to save Taylor from paying for a start to the season which leaves the Gills above the relegation zone by only two points.
A statement on the club's official website read: "Peter Taylor has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect. The Chairman [Paul Scally] has asked the coaching staff to assist Andy Hessenthaler with this weekend's game against Port Vale."
Taylor has had 11 permanent jobs in the past 14 years, including stints with Leicester City, Hull City, Bradford City, Crystal Palace, the Bahrain national team and England's Under-21 and Under-20 sides.
Joe Fish
