Everton SACK manager Sean Dyche, just three hours BEFORE they play in the FA Cup, as club captain Seamus Coleman takes charge tonight – and David Moyes could return
- Sean Dyche was sacked as Everton manager at 4.25pm on Thursday afternoon
- The Toffees play an FA Cup third round tie against Peterborough United at 7.45pm
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Everton have sacked Sean Dyche as manager just three hours before their FA Cup third round tie against Peterborough United on Thursday evening.
The Toffees are once again in the battle against relegation, but the timing of the dismissal will raise eyebrows with kick-off so close. They play at 7:45 PM and the news comes at 4:25 PM.
Club legend Leighton Baines and current captain Seamus Coleman will take on first-team duties against The Posh.
In a short statement, the Merseyside team 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 ongoing and an update will be provided in due course.
Sean Dyche has been sacked as Everton manager and the club faces another relegation battle
The timing of the dismissal will raise eyebrows as it comes just three hours before a match
The 53-year-old was suspended ahead of the FA Cup third round tie against Peterborough United
Club legend Leighton Baines (left) and captain Seamus Coleman will take on 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 job, as well as former Chelsea and Manchester United boss.
Dyche leaves the club languishing one point above the relegation zone halfway through the Premier League season.
The Merseyside team has collected 17 points from 19 games so far this season, with the club also winning just three of those games.
The 53-year-old was in the final few months of his contract with Everton, but the hierarchy have decided to end his tenure now.
Dyche’s last game in charge at Goodison Park was a 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking ahead of the FA Cup third round tie on Tuesday, Dyche was under no illusions that the club would have a succession plan in place for him.
“To be clear, if you are a company of this size, succession planning ultimately has to be part of your commitment,” he said.
David Moyes (left) and Jose Mourinho are linked as successors to the sacked Dyche
‘We have to win more games… I know the industry I’m in.
“I have worn this badge with as much pride as possible and I will continue to do so.
‘I have never questioned the fans here. If they choose to support me, that is obviously helpful.”