GEORGE Williams has stepped down as manager at Colchester United.

GEORGE Williams has stepped down as manager at Colchester United.

The U's slumped to second bottom of the table after losing 3-0 to MK Dons at their new stadium on Saturday and chairman Robbie Cowling felt it was time for change.

Cowling said: “In my opinion Geraint was badly let down on Saturday by some of his players who failed to play for him, some of our supporters who failed to support him and by myself for failing to publicly back him before it was too late.”

Joe Dunne and Kit Symons are expected to take charge of the team as they prepare for their League One game at Tranmere Rovers on Friday night.

Williams, 46, was Phil Parkinson's assistant when they led the club to promotion to the Championship in 2006.

The former Wales, Ipswich and Colchester midfielder was then named manager after Parkinson quit for Hull, and guided the Us to their highest-ever finish of 10th in the second tier.

But the loss of key players saw the club relegated the following season and they have yet to win a game at their new Community Stadium this season.

Cowling added: “In no way do I hold him responsible for last season's relegation.

“The club could not give him the funds and the facilities required to maintain Championship football.

“However, he proved without a doubt, during the one season where he did have a team capable of competing, that he could manage very successfully at that level and, if given the right tools, even higher.”

Ex-Derby and Preston boss Billy Davies and former QPR, Plymouth and Leicester manager Ian Holloway have already been linked with the vacancy, while some fans would no doubt like to see Parkinson - now an assistant at Charlton - return to the club.

- Geraint Williams' record as manager of Colchester United:

League record

Played: 102

Won: 30

Drawn: 30

Lost: 42

Cup record

Played: 7

Won: 2

Drawn: 0

Lost 5

League positions

Highest: 6th in Championship (December 2006, January and August 2007)

Lowest: 23rd in League One (September, 2008)

Longest undefeated league run: 6 games (August, September 2006, and March, April 2007)

Longest run without a league win: 10 games (February, March 2008)

Biggest win: 5-1 v Hull City (November 28, 2006)

Heaviest defeat: 5-1 at Derby County (March 2, 2007)