Finland sack Paatelainen as Euro 2016 hopes fade

Mixu Paatelainen has paid for a run of four consecutive Euro 2016 qualifying defeats with his job as Finland coach.

Victory over the Faroe Islands and a draw at home to Greece left the Finns with four points from their opening two Group F fixtures.

However, a subsequent collapse in form has heavily dented their chances of reaching France and Saturday’s 1-0 defeat on home soil to Hungary – which left them seven points off the group’s play-off place – was the last straw for the Finland Football Association (SPL).

An SPL statement wished Paatelainen well and confirmed a follow-up meeting will be held on Tuesday as they plot their next appointment.