Troy Deeney has been sacked by Forest Green after just six matches in charge

 The former Watford striker was only appointed head coach of the League Two side on December 20.

But Deeney failed to lead the club to a win in his six matches in charge, leaving the club bottom of League Two and seven points from safety.

He was axed on Thursday just hours after Forest Green Rovers owner Dale Vince had criticised Deeney's tough-love approach with the League Two strugglers, claiming that the former Watford star has made 'a mistake'.

In a statement on the club's website, Vince wrote: 'These are decisions nobody likes to make, but we have acted this way to give FGR the best possible chance of improving results and climbing the league table. We wish Troy all the best for the future and thank him for his efforts.'

The club added that the search for a replacement will begin straightaway and that Dan Connor will be in charge of the team's match with Gillingham on Saturday. 

Deeney caught the headlines after savaging his side on a number of occasions, claiming that there were 'too many babies' in the team, as well as insisting he needed to reinforce in January.

Since hanging up his boots in December, the 35-year-old has not had the smoothest transition into management at a side that are struggling to stay in the Football League, drawing three and losing three under his guidance. 

Deeney himself revealed that he had been on the receiving end of vile racist abuse in the aftermath of his rant, taking to social media to share an appalling message that he had been sent. 

Owner Vince was talking to Mail Sport at Wembley as part of the second year of the Green Football Weekend, where he competed in a ‘Ready Veggie Cook-off’ challenge with Joe Cole, Robbie Savage and Levi Roots. 

However Vince spoke about his side's recent poor form in League Two, as well as confirming that he will be talking to Deeney about his harsh words for the squad.  

'I think it was a mistake,' Vince said. 'I know that he apologised for it, so I think he sees that. I think it was wrong to talk to the players in that way. Some of the things he said were just wrong, they were harsh, they were wrong. 

'I don't think that's the way to coach people, to bring a team of people together. I think it was probably driven by emotion. He was frustrated by the end of that game, but we're all human and stuff happens. 

'I haven't had the chance to speak to him, but I will.

'Those things can go one of two ways; it can be a jolt and a wake-up, but I think there's a danger that it can go the other way and players actually resent what's being said to them because it's been said in public, and I think that's where the mistake is. 

'By all means, talk to the players in clear terms, but to say it in public - that's a different thing. It can go the wrong way, and of course if you say it in private then managers can lose the dressing room by being too brutal for too long, or at least that's my understanding of it anyway.'

On Saturday, Forest Green lost 2-0 at home to Harrogate Town with Jack Muldoon and Abraham Odoh scoring two second half goal with the home side booed off the pitch at The New Lawn Stadium.

After the game, Deeney slammed his players in the press as he laid bare his desire to make changes to his squad.

'I was trying to cosy my way into it but the sledgehammers are going to have to come out and there will be a lot that won’t like it,' he said. 'I don’t really care. 

'At the moment, there’s too many babies from top to bottom.'

When asked for his assessment of the game, he added: 'Probably the same as everyone else. A lot of nonsense.

'A group of people doing their own thing, hiding, scared. I don't understand why they're scared, they should be used to losing based on what I've seen over the last 18 months, two years.'

Vince agreed that the performances had not been good enough on the pitch, and did hint at the possibility of additions and changes this month in the January transfer window.

'On the pitch!' he said, when asked where improvement was needed. 'I know everyone's been doing their best, but this season you have to say that's not good enough. 

'We're in the January window, so we will get to make changes. We find ourselves in another relegation battle - nobody wants to be here but this is where we are!'