Matthieu Lazerges was sacked as coach of struggling Top 14 newboys Lyon on Tuesday and replaced by veteran fly-half Xavier Sadourny, club president Yvan Patet announced.
Lazergues, who guided the club to promotion last season and has them third from bottom one place above relegation this term, learnt his fate on Tuesday morning.
Patet and the board took action after Lyon were soundly trounced 31-10 by fellow newboys Bordeaux-Begles - who have found life easier among the elite teams and sit ninth but only three points off a play-off spot - last Friday.
"We met with Mathieu at the end of this morning to tell him his time with us was up and that he was to leave the club. We are negotiating with him over his terms," said Patet, who paid tribute to Lazerges's loyalty to the club with five years as a player and five as coach.
"We have changed things round internally with Xavier Sadourny becoming general coach. He will run all the sporting side of affairs and head the mission to retain our elite status in the 10 remaining matches and put in place a playing style which we have lost."
Sadourny, 34, has been Lyon fly-half for the past five years and was due to retire at the end of the season.