Dismissal shortly before kick-off! First division club throws coach out the door

Liverpool (England) - Not the English way! Thanks to a 2-0 home win against third division side Peterborough United, Everton FC advanced to the third round of the FA Cup yesterday evening. But exuberant joy at progressing to the next round did not really arise in the camp of the struggling Premier League club, as the Toffies had surprisingly sacked head coach Sean Dyche (53) shortly before kick-off of the cup tie.

Going their separate ways: Sean Dyche (53) and Everton FC.
Going their separate ways: Sean Dyche (53) and Everton FC.  © Darren Staples / AFP

According to English media, including the national tabloid newspaperThe Sun, the dismissal was apparently preceded by a dispute between Dyche - who took over as coach at the end of January 2023 - and the US billionaire and majority owner Dan Friedkin (60).

According to the report, in addition to the sporting misery of five winless games in a row recently, an "angry argument" that flared up during the meeting led to the separation.

This would probably have taken place on the afternoon of the match day with other club officials. Just a few hours before kick-off at Goodison Park, which holds just under 40,000 spectators, the Toffees issued a statement officially confirming the separation.

The coaching staff of Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard and Billy Mercer have also left the club. "The process to appoint a new manager is underway," the Blues said in a brief statement.

After Dyche's sacking at Everton FC: David Moyes as potential successor?

Dyche's duties will be taken over by captain Seamus Coleman (36) and U18 head coach Leighton Baines (40) until further notice, the latter explained after the Cup match against Peterborough:

"It was a unique day in many ways," said the 40-year-old - and continued: "It was just a bit different. It's never nice when a coach loses his job, but everyone had to get on with their work too."

It is still completely unclear who will be on the touchline in the future. One potential candidate for the post could be former Everton coach David Moyes (61).

He was head coach of the traditional club from 2002 to 2013 and has been without a new employer since his departure from league rivals West Ham United at the end of last season.