Owner William Clay Ford announced he had fired Matt Millen as Lions president.

"I have relieved Matt Millen of his duties effective immediately," Ford said in a statement. "I believe that this decision is in the best interest of this organization. I appreciate Matt's efforts. Matt worked tirelessly during his tenure to win, and he would be the first one to tell you that you have to win in this league. It just didn't work out."

Millen went an NFL-worst 31-84 after taking over the team in 2001. The last straws were the Lions' horrible 0-3 start this season and vice chairman Bill Ford Jr.'s public comments Monday that he would fire Millen if he had the authority.

Chief operating officer Tom Lewand continues in his role leading the business operations, except now he reports directly to Ford. Martin Mayhew, formerly the assistant general manager, becomes the general manager. Cedric Saunders, formerly the director of football operations, becomes vice president of football operations.

Millen's firing does little to nothing for this team this year, except to remove a cloud that has hung over the franchise and give some hope back to the fan base. A general manager does most of his work in the offseason - in free agency and the draft. The Lions cannot overhaul the roster at this point.

But Ford has not given up on this season.

"The support of our fans continues to be incredible, and they deserve a winner," Ford said. "Every decision we make must focus on that goal, and I believe this decision today will allow this team to move forward in a positive manner.

"I am very disappointed with where we are as a team after our start this season. Our sole focus now is preparing for our next game against Chicago. The entire organization must work together and do whatever we can to make this a successful season. Despite our record, it is still early and there is time to turn this season around."

Marinelli could stay. Some in the organization think he is a great coach who has been hampered by poor personnel and could succeed with better players, even though Marinelli had a big hand in Millen's recent personnel decisions.

At the NFL owners' meetings in the spring, vice chairman Bill Ford Jr. strongly endorsed Marinelli and refused to comment about Millen. Then Monday he said he would fire Millen but didn't mention Marinelli.

Marinelli inherited Millen's baggage when he took the job, and this may help him stand on his own.

The Lions are limited in what they can do to replace Millen in the meantime. NFL anti-tampering rules prohibit them from interviewing executives under contract with other teams until the season ends.

After the season, the Lions cannot swipe an executive under contract with a GM-level job. But they can interview and hire those who do not have full say over personnel decisions or those from whom this would be a promotion.

"These decisions are for the duration of the 2008 season," Ford Sr. said in the statement. "Once the season is over, we will undergo a thorough and comprehensive evaluation of our entire football operation and put together a plan that we believe will transform this team into a winner."