MANCHESTER: David Moyes’ troubled reign at Manchester United came to an abrupt end on Tuesday when the Scot was sacked as manager of the world-famous club, paying the price for the side’s spectacular and sudden decline in his 10 months in charge since replacing Alex Ferguson.

United announced hours later that Ryan Giggs, a club great who was on Moyes’ coaching staff, will take interim charge of the team for the final four games of the season with United mired in seventh place, 23 points behind league leaders Liverpool.

Moyes, 50, succeeded Ferguson at the helm of the Premier League side on July 1 but the move quickly became a fiasco with the team slumping to a series of embarrassing defeats and was removed from his post by vice chairman Ed Woodward during a meeting at United’s training ground in the morning.

After feverish speculation in the British media, United confirmed Moyes’ departure in a terse, two line statement, the Premier League giants thanking Moyes for “the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role” at Old Trafford.

Ferguson had steered United to the title last season for the 13th time and the club’s 20th overall but the self-belief and confidence that had characterized his years in charge evaporated abruptly under Moyes.

Newspapers had earlier reported that Moyes would be sacked, trumpeting the ‘End of an Error’ after the American owners, the Glazer family, lost patience and decided the manager had to go in the wake of a tame 2-0 defeat at his former club Everton on Sunday.

The defeat at Goodison Park also ensured that United will miss out on Champions League football next season, failing to qualify for Europe’s big money competition for the first time since 1995-96.

Moyes, who turns 51 on Friday, was appointed on the recommendation of fellow-Scot Ferguson, who retired at the end of last season after 26 years in the job.

Speculation immediately turned to who might take over at Old Trafford, with Louis van Gaal, who will leave his position as Netherlands coach after the World Cup in Brazil, having been linked strongly with the position.

Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp has also been mentioned but told British newspaper The Guardian on Tuesday that his “commitment to Borussia Dortmund and the people is not breakable”.

United later confirmed Giggs would fill in on a caretaker basis.

“Following the departure of David Moyes as manager, Manchester United has announced that Ryan Giggs will assume responsibility for the first team until a permanent appointment can be made,” said another statement.