Colchester United part company with manager Tony Humes

Colchester United have confirmed the departure of manager Tony Humes following a poor run of form.

The U's have lost each of their last four League One games to drop within one point of the relegation zone.

Humes's future has looked increasingly bleak after guiding his side to just two wins in their last 10 in all competitions, with speculation emerging over the past 24 hours that he could be on his way.

At a re-arranged press conference on Thursday afternoon, Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling announced that the 49-year-old has now indeed stepped aside a little over a year after taking up the job.

Speaking of the decision, Cowling told reporters: "In my eyes, Tony is still a legend. In a way I felt that I set him up to fail, but I do not think that Tony should have parted company with us."

Richard Hall and John McGreal will take charge of United's match against Burton Albion at the weekend, while Wayne Brown will assist the duo in the temporary management role.