‘Everton need stability’ – how chaotic day unfolded

Everton have recently experienced chaos and disarray after a strange day at Goodison Park.

When their takeover is complete in December, the Friedkin Group’s new owners had promised to show their loyalty to the club “through actions, not words.”

And they have kept their word by making their first significant decision without a second thought by abruptly bringing Sean Dyche’s tenure to an abrupt end just three hours before Peterborough’s FA Cup third round match.

Leighton Baines, captain of Everton Under-18s, took over as caretaker coach after the 2-0 victory, and the former full-back was present to the media.

“It has definitely been a difficult day”, said Baines. Losing a manager’s job isn’t good, and it typically comes after a difficult time. Within all of that, there has to be hope and optimism.

With the new stadium and ownership, things are changing at the football club. Nobody wants the manager to leave, and that is unacceptable. A new manager will be in, which will open up opportunities.

Not because it happened, but because of how it turned out, Dyche’s sacking on Thursday evening, just as the cup tie was being prepared, was a real shock.

Despite freezing conditions on Merseyside, local authorities convened for the game’s play, and the Friedkin Group’s bombshell decision came at the same time.

Before being informed of the decision in the afternoon and biding farewell to staff, Dyche had been at the club’s Finch Farm training facility in the morning.

Director of football Kevin Thelwell informed Baines that Dyche had been fired from the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool, and that he had then sent a report to the hotel where the players were meeting.

When the owners and Dyche met for discussions this week, senior officials from the club and the Friedkin Group told BBC Sport.

It is claimed Dyche did not know of the decision at Tuesday’s pre-match news conference, where he spoke about having “no problem” with the club “succession planning”.

And once he had told his superiors about taking the team as far as he could, change was inevitable and the group acted decisively to “relieve Dyche of his duties” at 16: 32 GMT, before the 19: 45 kick-off.

“Sean was here this morning and I have never had that]timing of a sacking] before”, said Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson. Three or four hours before a game, a manager is reportedly fired. The timing of it surprised everyone”.

Chris, a fan of Everton, said to BBC Sport: “It was disrespectful to Dyche and the team, but he can’t do any more than he has done.” It would have been better to announce it after the game.

The official statement of the club further highlighted the brutality of the dismissal, not to mention Dyche’s gratitude for his service or recognition of the work he and his staff did in challenging circumstances during their brief but brief two-year tenure.

The matchday program had been published, and it was being sold on the ground, along with Dyche’s manager’s column, which he wrote about starting “building some positive momentum after a couple of disappointing results.”

He will not be given that opportunity.

Although BBC Sport have been unable to confirm the reports, former Everton manager David Moyes appears to be the ideal candidate for the position.

The 61-year-old, out of work since leaving West Ham in the summer, is familiar with the surroundings having spent 11 seasons at Goodison Park between 2002 and 2013. He also aligns with the club’s desire to appoint someone with Premier League experience.

The game was played in bitterly cold conditions amid a largely subdued atmosphere, so Dyche’s exit did little to pique the fans’ interest.

“Why was Goodison so flat”? Andros Townsend, a former Blues winger, was interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live. “I thought it would be electric”.

With the club hoping to schedule an appointment before Wednesday’s Premier League home game against Aston Villa, the supporters will need to rally themselves and fully support the next man in.

In 16th place, just one point above the bottom three, Dyche’s successor will take control of a side that is locked in another dogfight at the wrong end of the table.

Everton have won just three of their last 19 Premier League games this year, and Bournemouth gave them a goal-scoring lead at 1-0 on Saturday.

The new manager’s main challenge will be to find goals in the league, despite the team’s two goals against lowly League One opponents on Thursday, despite having only scored 15 goals in those 19 league games.

Townsend said: “Looking at the bigger picture, I think it’s a major red flag for this ownership.

” Whether it’s the right or wrong decision, it’s three hours before kick-off in an FA Cup game. You treat him like this because he has saved you from relegation the past two years, one with a points deduction, and he has managed to keep them up.

“But I believe Everton has more than enough room in that dressing room to maintain its Premier League status.

At the end of the season, I don’t believe they will be anywhere near the bottom.