London  - Chelsea sensationally sacked manager Luiz Felipe Scolari on Monday after a run of form that has seen them slip out of contention to win the English Premier League title.

The London club announced the decision two days after their goalless draw at home to Hull City, a result which made it just two wins out of six league games, slipping them to fourth, seven points behind leaders Manchester United.

"Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club today with immediate effect," Chelsea said in a statement.

"Unfortunately the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season. In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now."

Assistant coach Ray Wilkins has been named as caretaker manager, but Chelsea added that "the search for a new manager has already started and we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible."

Scolari was typically dignified in his response.

"I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked for Chelsea and in English football," the Brazilian said.

"It was a very valuable experience. I am sorry that my time with everyone could not last longer. I wish Chelsea luck in the three competitions they are participating in.

"I want to take the opportunity to inform that I will keep living in London. I will respond to the media soon."

Scolari, who won the World Cup in 2002 with Brazil, was appointed in June 2008 as the replacement for Avram Grant.

The signs looked good initially as Chelsea won seven of their first nine league games, a run that included a 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

As the goals rained in, Scolari was praised with bringing creativity to the Chelsea line-up, but the wheels came off when their 86-match unbeaten home run was ended by Liverpool.

Since then, their home form has deserted them, with Saturday's stalemate against Hull their fifth home draw in the league.

Their 2-0 defeat at Liverpool dropped them back in the title race and their failure to beat Hull left many observers writing off their title chances.

Scolari has continued to back his side in recent weeks, but the board decided that the club had to make a change and sacked him on Monday. (dpa)