Premier League basement club Leicester City have sacked manager Nigel Pearson, Sky Sports News reported Sunday.

Pearson led the Midlands club to the Championship title last season but the Foxes have taken just 17 points from their opening 24 league games this term and are currently rooted to the foot of the table.

However, as Sky even opened a viewers' poll on who should succeed Pearson, there was still no official confirmation from the club that he had in fact been dismissed from his post at the King Power Stadium.

The 51-year-old's cause was not helped by an extraordinary incident during Saturday's 1-0 home loss to Crystal Palace.

Pearson was knocked over on the touchline by Palace midfielder James McArthur after a tackle by Marc Albrighton.

There followed a seemingly friendly exchange between the former Southampton and Hull manager and the Scottish player, with Pearson grabbing McArthur around the throat before helping him to his feet.

However, events took a less pleasant turn when Pearson prevented McArthur returning to the field by seizing hold of his shirt.

Former Leicester and England striker Gary Lineker, now the host of BBC television's Match of the Day programme, was convinced Pearson had been sacked Sunday.

"Not overly surprised that Nigel Pearson has been fired by Leicester, given they're bottom, but he's been a very good manager of the club," Lineker wrote on Twitter.

"Not sure if yesterday's bizarre touchline behaviour had anything to do with Pearson's exit, but certainly shows how the job gets to 'em all."