Queens Park Rangers have sacked manager Neil Critchley after just 12 games in charge at Loftus Road.

The west London club have gone 10 Championship games without a win and are 17th in the table, eight points above the relegation zone.

Critchley, 44, was appointed in December after Michael Beale left for Scottish giants Rangers.

He won his first game against Preston, but has only picked up five points from the 30 available since then.

Rangers took the decision following Saturday's 3-1 defeat at third-placed Middlesbrough, and Critchley's assistants Mike Garrity and Iain Brunskill have also left the club.

Critchley, who had a stint as assistant to Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa earlier in the campaign following just over two years as Blackpool manager, had agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the R's.

QPR chief executive Lee Hoos said it was "hugely disappointing to have to make such a decision" so early into his tenure.

"However, after seeing the team slip from play-off contenders to one being drawn into a relegation battle, the board [of directors] felt it had to act," Hoos added in a statement on the club website.

"There is no doubt Neil inherited a difficult situation when he joined and we would like to acknowledge his superb work ethic and professionalism throughout our dealings.

"He is a fantastic man and we have no doubts he will go on to be a success elsewhere, just as he was at Blackpool."

QPR's statement added that an announcement regarding Critchley's replacement would be made in due course, with their next game at home against seventh-placed Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

"As we enter into a critical stage of the season, we understand the need for a swift appointment to be made," director of football Les Ferdinand said.

"Stability is key to the success of a club and this season has presented challenges which have denied us that stability. For us to move forward we must all learn from what has happened and pull together."