Sven-Goran Eriksson has been told he will be sacked as Manchester City manager at the end of the season, BBC Sport understands.
City owner Thaksin Shinawatra told Eriksson he was "not the right man for the job" at a meeting on Sunday, a source close to the Swede said.
Eriksson informed the players at training on Monday that he would be dismissed, provoking an angry response.
Shinawatra has been unhappy with City's results since the turn of the year.
The Thai was at the City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday to watch his team's 3-2 defeat by Fulham.
Afterwards, he held a meeting with Eriksson and told him he would be dismissed after their final two games of the season.
"Sven reacted calmly, as usual, but he was very surprised and disappointed," the source told BBC Sport.
"He doesn't want to leave the club and will not resign. He loves working with the players and his work at Manchester City has only just begun."
I am shocked by the news. Sven looked like City's great manager and I am stunned by this news. Sure he wasn't the best of England managers but, what a flying start he had at the start of the season and the summer signings he made turned City into one of the Premier League's most exciting teams. Sure City have fell into a slump into 2008, but I think the chairman should have given him time. Not the right man for the job? If he's not the right man, who is? I am stunned by the news. Simply stunned.
