- Sean Dyche was sacked as Everton manager on Thursday afternoon at 4.25pm
- The Toffees face Peterborough United in a FA Cup third-round tie at 7.45pm
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Everton have sacked Sean Dyche as their manager just three hours before their FA Cup third-round tie against Peterborough United on Thursday night.
The Toffees are in another fight against relegation but the timing of dismissal will raise eyebrows with it being so close to kick-off. They are playing at 7.45pm with the news breaking at 4.25pm.
Club legend Leighton Baines and current captain Seamus Coleman will take charge of first-team duties against The Posh.
In a short statement, the Merseyside outfit wrote: ‘Everton Football Club can confirm that Sean Dyche has been relieved of his duties as Senior Men’s First Team Manager with immediate effect.
‘Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard and Billy Mercer have also left the Club.
‘The process to appoint a new Manager is underway and an update will be provided in due course.
Sean Dyche has been sacked as Everton manager with the club facing another relegation fight
The timing of the sacking will raise eyebrows – with it coming just three hours before a match
The 53-year-old was axed ahead of Thursday’s FA Cup third-round tie vs Peterborough United
Club legend Leighton Baines (left) and captain Seamus Coleman will take first-team duties
‘Under-18s Head Coach Leighton Baines and Club Captain Seamus Coleman will take charge of first-team affairs on an interim basis.’
The club’s new owners, the Friedkin Group, will now begin the hunt for Dyche’s successor, with former manager David Moyes already linked with the position as well ex-Chelsea and Manchester United boss.
Dyche leaves the club languishing a point above the relegation zone at the halfway point of their Premier League season.
The Merseyside outfit have collected 17 points from 19 matches so far this season – with the club winning just three of those games too.
The 53-year-old was in the final few months of his Everton contract but the hierarchy have decided to end his tenure now.
Dyche’s final game in charge of the Goodison Park outfit came in 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking on Tuesday ahead of their FA Cup third-round tie, Dyche was under no illusions that the club may have a succession plan instead of him.
‘To be clear it should be, at the end of the day if you are a business of this size then succession planning should be part of your diligence,’ he said.
David Moyes (left) and Jose Mourinho have been linked as successors to the dismissed Dyche
‘We need to win more games… I know the industry I am in.
‘I have worn this badge with as much pride as I can and I will continue to do so.
‘I have never questioned the fans here – if they choose to back me that is obviously helpful.’
