Charlton have parted company with manager Alan Pardew by "mutual consent" following a hastily convened board meeting at the end of Saturday's 5-2 home defeat by Sheffield United.

The board took action as hundreds of supporters, for the second successive home game, demonstrated outside the directors' entrance calling for Pardew to be sacked after Charlton dropped into the Coca-Cola Championship relegation zone.

After attending the routine press conference, Pardew met with Charlton plc chairman Derek Chappell and football club chairman Richard Murray.

Afterwards the club announced that he had left by "mutual consent" and that his assistant, Phil Parkinson, the former Hull City boss, would take charge for Tuesday's match away to Queens Park Rangers.

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Pardew was appointed on Christmas Eve, 2006 and had another year of his contract to run.

Richard Murray, chairman of the football club board, told the club's website: "On reflection of results so far this season, and looking at the future challenges for the remainder of the campaign, it was agreed by both parties that Alan would leave the club with immediate effect.”

There was immediate speculation that popular former coach Mark Robson, presently with Gillingham, could return to The Valley after leaving in the summer.

And that another Addicks favourite, Keith Peacock, now an associate director, could take the helm.