Australian Tim Lane has been sacked by Top 14 strugglers Lyon with compatriot Scott Wisemantel joining Olivier Azam as the new coaching duo.
Lane, 55, joined Lyon in 2013 and guided them to the second division title last season - French legend Sebastien Chabal's last as a professional.
However, this season has been disappointing with Lyon languishing second from bottom and six points from safety after seven wins and 13 defeats this season.
Lane was highly criticised following last week's 22-14 defeat at home to Toulon and many consider Lyon to be underachieving given they boast the seventh highest budget in the Top 14 of 21 million euros ($22.8 million).
"Following talks with the captain (Lionel Nallet), the team and the coaching staff, the club's owners, its president and Tim Lane met on Saturday," said a Lyon statement.
"In the club's interests it was decided the latter would leave."
Skills coach Wisemantel and forwards coach Azzam will take over coaching duties for the rest of the season.
