DAVID Flitcroft was sacked on Saturday after the Reds' abysmal season continued.
Barnsley have won only twice in 17 league games and a 10th defeat, 3-0 at the hands of fellow strugglers Birmingham City, was one too many for the Oakwell board.
The defeat left Barnsley at the bottom of the table, six points from safety. It's their worst start to a season since 1973.
The home side did not help themselves as they played a hand in the visitors taking the lead.
Jean-Yves M'Voto did well to take the ball off Jesse Lingard, before giving it away to Paul Caddis, who shrugged off challenges from David Perkins and Paddy McCourt before to rifling in a 13th-minute shot.
City striker Nikola Zigic went down following an M'Voto challenge after a corner and referee Kevin Wright pointed to the spot.
Caddis then stepped up to send ex-Blues keeper Jack Butland the wrong way for a 2-0 lead after just 22 minutes.
Caddis also had a hand in the third goal when his misplaced pass was diverted into the path of Zigic by Jim O'Brien and the Birmingham forward dinked an effort over Butland.
Barnsley rarely mustered a goal threat as Birmingham wrapped the game up well before half-time.
A statement on the club's website said: "Barnsley Football Club can confirm first-team manager David Flitcroft has been relieved of his position at the football club.
"Technical coach Martin Scott and strength and conditioning coach Guy Proctor have also parted company with the club.
"Assistant manager Micky Mellon has been placed in caretaker charge of first-team affairs, assisted by development coach Paul Heckingbottom in the meantime.
"There will be no further statements from the club until Wednesday.
"The club would like to place on record their appreciation and thanks for what David, Martin and Guy have achieved."
Danny Wilson, Neil Redfearn and Michael Appleton have emerged as the initial favourites to take over from Flicker.
Barnsley head to Brighton in the Championship on Tuesday night. Was the sacking the best choice? Have your say below.
