Salford sack Veivers

Salford have parted company with head coach Phil Veivers with immediate effect, the Super League club have announced.

The decision comes just two days after the City Reds lost 38-4 at home to London Broncos which saw them slip to the foot of the table after five rounds.

Salford chief executive Ed Farish said: "We have had to look at the whole business and what is right for the club. The results speak for themselves and it was felt a change must be made to allow our progression to continue on the field as well as off it."

Salford have appointed head of youth development Alan Hunte as caretaker coach ahead of the Reds' next match, which is at Wakefield next Sunday.

The Reds have won just one game since July and have conceded 196 points in their opening five games of the season but are in the process of rebuilding their squad following a spate of departures at the end of last season.

Veivers, who was appointed as the successor to Australian Matt Parish in November 2011, said he had no comment to make.

The announcement comes just five weeks after the club was taken over by racehorse owner Dr Marwan Koukash, who has big plans to transform their fortunes and has already made a series of attempts to make a high-profile signing.

Farish added: "In the last month we have undergone major changes with the departures of director of football Steve Simms and commercial director Tina Wilkinson.

"We thank Phil for his efforts during an extremely difficult close season and wish him all the best for the future."

Former Wigan and New Zealand coach Graham Lowe, who has been appointed as football director, is expected to lead the search for a successor to Veivers.