And Birch, who only arrived earlier this month, is now looking to the future.
"It's always a difficult decision to change the manager because of the upset and the uncertainty it creates, but I think after the 6-1 defeat, people realised we were left with no alternative," he said.
"You can't please everyone when you make that kind of decision, but you have to make what you think is the right decision.
"The most important thing for Leeds United this year is to stay in the Premiership, and you can't afford to get to the position where it becomes totally unsustainable."