In a surprising move, Sean Dyche has officially parted ways with his position as Everton manager just hours before their FA Cup encounter with Peterborough United scheduled for Thursday night.

The 53-year-old's departure comes on the heels of The Friedkin Group's (TFG) takeover of the Merseyside club, which marked the end of Farhad Moshiri's ownership. Dyche, who took over from Frank Lampard in January 2023, leaves after a disheartening 1-0 loss to Bournemouth, where the team failed to even register a shot on target.

In a statement from the club, it was confirmed that Dyche's coaching staff, including Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard, and Billy Mercer, are also leaving their roles. Leighton Baines, a former defender and currently the club’s professional development coach, will step in as interim manager for the upcoming FA Cup match, alongside club captain Seamus Coleman.

Dyche’s exit is notable as he had previously expressed optimism about his future with the club, despite acknowledging that his position should be under review. The team has faced a difficult stretch, failing to win their last five matches and not managing to score in eight of their last ten league games, leaving them languishing in 16th place in the Premier League with a mere 17 points from 19 fixtures.

Last season was a rollercoaster for Dyche, as he managed to keep Everton up despite two points deductions for breaches of the league’s profitability and sustainability regulations. His managerial journey began with Watford, before a successful tenure at Burnley, where he secured six consecutive Premier League seasons.

As Everton prepares to face Peterborough, they also look onward to their Premier League clash against Aston Villa on January 15. While the mood surrounding the club has shifted toward uncertainty following Dyche's departure, discussions about a new managerial appointment are underway.

The change seemed almost inevitable once TFG took control; the question was not if, but when the reset would occur. Although there were hopes that Dyche could guide the team through the transition and into a safe position before the move to the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, recent performances, particularly the horrendous display against Bournemouth, led to dwindling support from the fans.

While Dyche will be remembered for his role in stabilizing the club in turbulent times, the urgency for a new direction reflects the pressing need for Everton to regain their competitive edge as they seek to revive their season.