Brighton sack Phillips with club 10th in WSL

Brighton were beaten 3-0 by league leaders Chelsea on Saturday in Melissa Phillips' last game in charge

Melissa Phillips has been sacked as Brighton manager with the club 10th in the Women's Super League.

They are currently six points clear of the WSL relegation place.

Technical director David Weir said it was "not a decision which has been taken lightly, but we feel it is vital for the progress we want to see".

Brighton have lost seven of their 12 league matches, although they beat high-flying Manchester City and held Manchester United to a 2-2 draw earlier in the campaign.

Weir said: "We have invested heavily in the women's squad and infrastructure going into this season, and results and performances have not been at the level we had expected, given that investment."

Mikey Harris moves from the men's academy to take charge as interim manager, beginning with the WSL match at Manchester United on Sunday (12:00 GMT).

Managing director Zoe Johnson added: "The immediate priority is upcoming WSL, Conti Cup and FA Cup matches against Manchester United this Sunday, and Aston Villa and Wolves the following week; while also beginning the search for a permanent head coach."