The former England captain was installed as Bees boss in the summer after he was axed by Sydney following a poor defence of their Championship.

But Butcher won just five of his 23 games in charge of the Bees. Assistant manager Andy Scott has been named as caretaker boss.

A statement on the club's official website, www.brentfordfc.co.uk, read: "Brentford have today parted company with Terry Butcher by mutual consent.

"This takes place with immediate effect and Andy Scott will take temporary charge of the team for this Saturday's game at Wrexham."

Brentford chairman Greg Dyke admitted the decision to part company with Butcher was made all the harder as he still sees the former England captain as "a footballing hero".

Butcher's exploits as a player - including the famous incident during England's World Cup qualifier in Sweden in 1989 when he suffered a head wound which coated his kit in blood - made Dyke's decision to dispense with his services harder to take.

He said: "Terry could not have worked harder for this club and it is therefore a great shame for me to see him go.

"He's a decent, honest and likeable bloke. For men and women of my generation he is still a footballing hero. He goes with my very best wishes for the future."

The Bees' 1-0 home defeat to Grimsby on Saturday was their sixth defeat in their last seven games in all competitions and saw them slip to within four points of the League Two relegation zone.

Butcher only took charge in April after the club's relegation to League Two had already been assured but despite being among the pre-season favourites for promotion saw his side struggle.

Fans at Griffin Park have been calling for his resignation since they were hammered 7-0 at Peterborough last month.

Butcher's former assistant Andy Scott will take temporary charge for the vital game with fellow strugglers Wrexham and admitted that it was important for the club to focus on three points.

Scott said: "I am desperately disappointed for Terry but I would ask everybody, both players and supporters alike, to focus on our next important match at Wrexham on Saturday."