Notts County have sacked Stuart Maynard after losing in the League Two play-off semi-finals.
The Magpies finished sixth and faced AFC Wimbledon for the chance of promotion to League One but were beaten 2-0 on aggregate.
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They will now spend a third consecutive season in the fourth tier, but Maynard won’t be on the touchline after being dismissed.
Notts County announced on Thursday: “We have parted company with our head coach, Stuart Maynard.
Owners Chris and Alex Reedtz said: “After being unable to achieve our aim of winning promotion this season, we share the disappointment felt by everyone connected with the club.
“While football is a game of fine margins, and Stuart undoubtedly faced numerous challenges over the course of the campaign, neither results nor performances reached the levels we believe the team was capable of – particularly during the defining period towards the end.
“Stuart leaves with our very best wishes and gratitude for his considerable commitment and dedication to the role.
“In the near future we will provide a comprehensive update to supporters, offering more of our own reflections on the 2024-25 campaign while also outlining our approach to next season and beyond.
“Alongside our recently-appointed Head of Football, Roberto Gagliardi, our work is well underway to identify the correct coaching team and new signings to join us on these important next steps of our journey.
“We are highly optimistic about the club’s future and remain as committed as ever to helping Notts County achieve its immense potential.”
Maynard joined Notts County as head coach in January 2024 from Wealdstone and finished 14th in his first season at Meadow Lane.
A top seven finish put them closer towards a League One return after a ten-year absence.
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However, they lost 1-0 in both legs against AFC Wimbledon, the first of which saw Notts County go down to ten men late on.
Alassana Jatta was sent off for a two-footed lunge on Alistair Smith in second half stoppage-time.
Jatta, the Magpies’ top scorer in all competitions this season with 22 goals, missed the second leg as a result of his dismissal.
Josh Neufville scored AFC Wimbledon’s second goal of the tie to send them final on Monday against Walsall, live on talkSPORT.
Notts County returned to the English Football League in 2023 when they won the National League play-off final.
They beat Chesterfield to end their four-season stay outside of the top four divisions.
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A third attempt at promotion will follow in the 2025/26 season.
Doncaster Rovers won the League Two title, with Port Vale finishing second and Bradford City coming third.
Shrewsbury Town, Cambridge United, Bristol Rovers and Crawley Town have all been relegated from League One.
