Mariner takes over the reins at Plymouth Argyle

Head coach Paul Mariner has taken charge of all football activities at Plymouth Argyle until further notice after manager Paul Sturrock was removed from the position and given a business support role.

Chairman Sir Roy Gardner said: “The board has decided to make this move following the continuing poor set of results. We're convinced we have the capability to remain in the Championship.”

Argyle are currently one of the bottom of the Championship with only four wins so far this season.

Paul Sturrock joined the club for a second time in 2007, but will now be working on improving the club’s training facilities. He was first at Home Park from 2000 to 2004, and Argyle gained promotion from Division Three (now known as League Two) in 2002 and were promoted again in 2004, just after Sturrock left for Southampton.

Vice-chairman Paul Stapleton said: “Paul is remaining at the club, working closely with business director Keith Todd. We'd like to thank Paul for his considerable contribution for Plymouth Argyle over many years. But he's a realist and knows that if the results haven't come then we need to do something. There comes a time like everything in football where you have to look at the facts, look at the results, look at the points and say to yourselves we need to address that now before it gets too late.”

Fifty-six-year-old Mariner joined the club in October from US club New England Revolution. He made 135 appearances and scored 56 goals between 1973 and 1976 and made 35 appearances, scoring 13 goals for England. He said: It's a sad day, but obviously a happy day for me because I'm getting my chance to be a manager in the league. He's [Sturrock] a great friend of mine. The bond that we have together is quite remarkable and we have a mutual respect for each other.”