Burchnall was appointed in the summer to replace former manager Rob Edwards, who's efforts in guiding the team to the League Two title last season attracted the interest of Watford.

The former Notts County boss only managed five league wins during his tenure however and the club now sit bottom of the league and four points adrift of safety in their first season in the third tier.

In a statement on the club's website Chairman Dale Vince said "I’m grateful to Ian for all his hard work this season, it’s definitely not been easy. Our first season in League One was always going to be a challenge in itself but it’s been been made more difficult by a number of factors, with their roots in last summer. 

I believe in Ian as a coach, but circumstances have led us to this place, we’ve recruited strongly in the January window, player wise - now we need to recruit a new Head Coach - to give ourselves the best chance of staying in this league."

Burchnall himself also release ad a statement thanking the club and fans saying 'I am sorry that I couldn’t make it work and that they didn’t see the best of my team.'