The Minnesota Twins announced Monday that Bill Smith has been fired as the Twins’ general manager.  Effective immediately, Terry Ryan will take over as interim GM, according to the Star Tribune.

The surprise move comes only days after the Twins announced that former assistant GM Wayne Krivsky would be returning to the Twins as a special assistant.  Krivsky and Ryan worked together in the late 1990’s as the Twins became a perennial power in the American League Central, winning four division titles under Ryan.

“No one in the Twins’ organization wants to win any more than Bill,” Twins Owner and CEO Jim Pohlad said in a statement. “He is unquestionably loyal, committed and talented. The Twins goal is to get better in 2012 and beyond. Bill was equally motivated to achieve that goal but we differed in the scope and approach that was required. Going forward, we intend to have additional discussions with Bill about an ongoing role within the organization. We wish Bill, Becky and the entire Smith family nothing but the best.”