Sheffield United have responded to their relegation from the Championship by sacking manager Micky Adams on Tuesday.United finished second from the bottom in the Championship this term, with just 11 wins from their 46 games, and both Adams and his assistant Alan Cork have been dismissed by the club's owner Kevin McCabe.

Adams became United's third manager of the season in December when he replaced Gary Speed, who left to take charge of Wales.

Speed replaced the sacked Kevin Blackwell just three games in to the 2010/11 season.

In his 24 matches at the helm, Adams tasted victory just four times and McCabe said the club needed a new direction as it prepares for life in League One.

"Micky is an honourable, hard-working and honest man who has had difficult circumstances to deal with from the moment he came in," McCabe said.

"No one can criticise the effort he and Alan put in to turn around what was already an awkward season for us."

"The fact remains that we have been relegated. With that in mind I feel that in order to give ourselves the best opportunity we should make a clean sweep at the top and start afresh next season."

Adams, a lifelong United supporter who began his youth career with the Blades in the mid-1970s, said he would continue to support the club.

"Obviously I am very, very disappointed with the decision but I still wish Sheffield United all the best," Adams said.

"I am a Blade and will always be a Blade so I am just sorry that my move here has not worked out."