Cleveland Browns sack coach Pettine

The Cleveland Browns fired head coach Mike Pettine on Sunday, the National Football League team announced.

General manager Ray Farmer was also axed, only hours after the Browns ended a dismal campaign with a 28-12 home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"We greatly appreciate Ray and Mike's dedication and hard work," owner Jimmy Haslam said in a statement.

"We've made this decision because we don't believe our football team is positioned well for the future. We are all disappointed with where we are and I take full responsibility."

Pettine had a 10-22 record in two seasons with the Browns.

After the Browns started 7-4 in Pettine's rookie season, they ended 2014 with five straight losses.

The poor results continued in 2015 with the team posting a 3-13 record as Pettine struggled to decide whether to stick with firebrand quarterback Johnny Manziel as his starter.

"Mike is the epitome of what we want the Browns to be: tough, aggressive and innovative with a blue-collar, team-first mentality," Haslam said when he appointed Pettine nearly two years ago.

The 49-year-old Pettine worked on the coaching staffs at the Ravens, Jets and Bills before joining the Browns.