Swindon Town have announced that they have parted company with head coach Mark Kennedy following a tough start to the season.

Kennedy was appointed in May following the club having their lowest league finish since the establishment of the four-tier structure, however despite an overhaul of the playing squad the results have not seen an upturn.

After 13 league matches, Town have won just twice and back-to-back defeats against Doncaster Rovers at The Nigel Eady County Ground and Salford City on the road proved to be the final straw.

Back-to-back wins against Bristol Rovers in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy and Cheltenham Town in League Two prior to those last two games had given hope of a potential turn in fortunes but that was not to be.

A statement from the club said: "Swindon Town Football Club have parted company with head coach Mark Kennedy.

"Marcus Bignot, Steve Mildenhall and Gavin Gunning will continue in their current positions, with all three first-team coaches in place to oversee this weekend's game against Gillingham.

"Everyone at Swindon Town Football Club would like to express their appreciation to Mark for his commitment and hard work during his time with the Club and wish him all the best in the future.

"A further update on the club's new head coach will be provided at the earliest opportunity."

The club also confirmed that Marcus Bignot, Gavin Gunning, and Steve Mildenhall will all remain in their positions within the first-team coaching staff.

Defeat at The Peninsular Stadium had created large discontent among the supporters, with many believing that it was time for a change and calling for Kennedy to go.

Three wins across all competitions from 16 matches gives the former Liverpool winger an 18.8 per cent win ratio, which only surpasses Paul Hart out of all permanent managers in the club’s history.

Kennedy’s reign is also the fourth shortest in the club’s history, with only Hart, Kevin MacDonald, and Martin Ling having taken charge of fewer matches during their tenure.

Swindon are now in search of their sixth permanent manager in the four seasons of the Clem Morfuni era and their 13th since Mark Cooper departed in 2015.

Only Ben Garner has managed to get to the end of a full season since the takeover in July 2021, with him leaving for Charlton Athletic at the end of the 2021/22 campaign having taken charge straight after Morfuni became chairman.

Since then no head coach has made it beyond 30 league matches in charge, with Scott Lindsey, Jody Morris, Michael Flynn, and now Kennedy departing for various reasons before then.

Gunning's 21 matches in charge across three interim spells is more than both Kennedy and Morris were afforded during their tenures.