San Francisco 49ers fire head coach Jim Tomsula

American media are speculating over a number of potential replacements for Tomsula including former San Francisco offensive co-ordinator Mike Holmgren, recently sacked Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, current New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton and two-time Super Bowl victor Mike Shanahan. York says he’s received a lot of criticism from fans and he understands why.

Tomsula past year replaced Jim Harbaugh, who led the team to their most recent Super Bowl appearance in 2013, a loss to the Baltimore Ravens. “I believe in winning championships”.

Unlike last season following Jim Harbaugh’s “mutual parting”, York stood alone at the podium, but quickly noted that Trent Baalke remains his general manager; Baalke and York shared the stage at last year’s presser. The new coach will work with Baalke to evaluate the roster, including quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who was benched during the season for Blaine Gabbert.

“Overall, the year what I’ve had and to be here and part of the team has been incredible and more than what I could have imagined”. “I’m going to continue to do that, but I’m going to do that in a way that doesn’t distract from the team”.

“We have a clear understanding of what we want”, he said. “We’ve just got to make it fit with the schedules that are out there that these men are tied to”. “We need to make sure that we look forward to the next head coach”. “We want a leader, we want someone who has a clear vision”.

“We were all excited about Jarryd today”, Tomsula said last week as Hayne made a solid but unspectacular return to the team.

He added, “We’ve got to get this one right”.

ZUERLEIN MISFIRES: Greg Zuerlein missed two big field goals, including having one blocked in overtime that would have won the game. He saw the banners that were hired to fly above Levi’s Stadium that were critical of him and the franchise this year.

Free safety Eric Reid said it was important for the 49ers to end the season with a victory.

York said that he is willing to spend whatever it takes to get the team back to championship caliber, but will spend it wisely.

Moments before the news conference, York addressed the team’s fans in a letter via Twitter, saying he wanted to “apologize to everyone that cares deeply” about the 49ers and that he “shared in their disappointments”.

Regarding speculation York might be considering selling, he said, “My family’s owned this team since before I was born and they’ll own this team after I’m gone”.