The Washington Redskins have confirmed that they have fired head coach Mike Shanahan after four seasons with the club.

Three-time Super Bowl winner, Shanahan, joined the Redskins in the 2010 campaign following a 4-12 season and gradually improved them with six and five win years in his first two campaigns at the club.

Last year, they made a breakthrough into the playoffs after moving up in the Draft to snag Robert Griffin III and he led them to a 10-6 season and the NFC East title, but they were defeated in the Wild Card round by the Seattle Seahawks where the quarterback sustained an injury.

That had a major affect on the team this season as Griffin struggled for health and form for the entire year as the Redskins won just three games in the campaign, losing their last eight games matches as reports emerged that there was animosity between Griffin and Shanahan.

The Redskins made the decision to part with the veteran coach, for results more than anything else according to owner Dan Synder.

He said in a statement: "Redskins fans deserve a better result. We thank Mike for his efforts on behalf of the Redskins.

"We will focus on what it takes to build a winning team, and my pledge to this organisation and to this community is to continue to commit the resources and talent necessary to put this team back in the playoffs."

Shanahan had a 24-40 record with the club during his four years in Washington.