Former Everton star Andros Townsend has warned how the brutal sacking of Sean Dyche is a ‘major red flag’ for the new owners.
The Toffees confirmed Dyche had been sacked on Thursday afternoon at 4.25pm, ahead of their FA Cup clash with Peterborough, which kicked off at 7.45pm.
As a result, Baines and current captain Seamus Coleman were placed in charge of first-team duties against The Posh.
The duo managed to lead Everton to a 2-0 win on the night – thanks to goals from Beto and Iliman Ndiaye – however afterwards Townsend had stern words. He said: ‘I think it’s a major red flag for this ownership.
‘I think Evertonians over this past decade have had a maverick owner who made decisions on a whim, who ignored advice, didn’t really think about the short-term plan or the long-term plan. And by the end of it, the fans were desperate to get him out.
‘You’ve got this new group coming in, there’s all this positivity. Fans are saying they’re going to get their club back and then they have a decision like this. Whether it’s the right or wrong decision, it’s three hours before kick-off in an FA Cup game.
Sean Dyche has been sacked as Everton manager with the club facing another relegation fight
The Friedkin Group completed their takeover from Farhad Moshiri on December 19 last year
Former Toffees star Andros Townsend has warned that it could be a ‘red flag’ for the owners
‘It’s a man who has saved you from relegation the last two years – one with a points deduction, yet somehow managed to keep them up and this is how you treat him.
‘For me, right or wrong decision, it’s major, major red flags long-term for this new ownership group’.
With Dyche’s exit confirmed on Thursday afternoon, the 53-year-old was still featured in the matchday programme.
Dyche had expressed hope Everton could use the FA Cup tie to ‘build some positive momentum’.
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.
The 53-year-old was axed ahead of Thursday’s FA Cup third-round tie vs Peterborough United
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.
‘Under-18s Head Coach Leighton Baines and Club Captain Seamus Coleman will take charge of first-team affairs on an interim basis.’
