Chester ditch assistant Aizlewood

Assistant manager Mark Aizlewood has parted company with Chester

Chester City have parted company with assistant manager Mark Aizlewood.

"We have terminated Mark Aizlewood's contract with immediate effect," said Chester club chairman Stephen Vaughan in a statement on Monday morning.

"Our chief executive, David Burford, is negotiating the settlement formalities with Mr Aizlewood and his advisers."

Former Wales international Aizlewood, 45, joined Chester alongside Ian Rush as part of the club's new management team in August.

There was an immediate upturn in fortunes, but following a slump in the new year that saw a run of just two wins in 10 games, Rush's own job came under threat in March.

Club owner Stephen Vaughan claimed that Rush was offered a deal to quit the Deva Stadium but snubbed it.

In response, Rush's solicitor said that the club had made "no formal or valid offer".

Rush was appointed at the end of August following the departure of former Liverpool team-mate Mark Wright, who guided Chester to the Conference title last season.

Chester were bottom of League Two when Rush took over but the former Wales striker took the club into the third round of the FA Cup and won the manager-of-the-month award for October.

After the early success, Chester did fall back down the League Two table, but with five games of the season remaining they are currently nine points clear of the releagtion zone.