Sean Dyche has been sacked as Everton manager following just under two years in charge.
The 53-year-old becomes the sixth Premier League manager to leave their role this season.
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And in an even more unexpected turn of events, Everton defender Seamus Coleman took charge of their FA Cup tie on Thursday night alongside former Toffees player Leighton Baines.
talkSPORT understands former Toffees boss David Moyes is the frontrunner to get the job on a permanent basis with the Scot to hold talks with the club on Friday.
Dyche leaves Goodison Park with the Toffees 16th in the table, just a point above the relegation zone.
The decision comes just over two weeks after the Friedkin Group’s takeover of the club.
During Dyche’s tenure, Everton won 26 of their 83 matches across all competitions, with the former Burnley boss guiding them to safety in the last two seasons.
However, he oversaw a run of one win in his last 11 matches as manager as goals dried up for the Toffees.
Those matches saw Everton score just five goals since the start of November, with four of those coming against Wolves last month.
Coleman and Baines got the job done as Everton sealed their spot in the fourth round with a 2-0 win over the League One outfit.
Baines and Coleman have a combined 846 appearances for the club between them.
Current captain Coleman had not been in line to feature against Peterborough due to a muscle injury.
Premier League managers sacked this season
Erik ten Hag – Manchester United
Steve Cooper – Leicester
Gary O’Neil – Wolves
Russell Martin – Southampton
Julen Lopetegui – West Ham
Sean Dyche – Everton
The 36-year-old has played just four times so far this term due to a string of injury woes.
Meanwhile, Baines remains at the club having retired in 2020 and is currently in charge of the Toffees’ under-18 side.
Everton have also confirmed that several members of Dyche’s team have also departed.
Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard and Billy Mercer have all left Goodison Park following the decision to part ways with Dyche.
In a statement, the club said: “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.
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“The process to appoint a new manager is under way 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.”
The Toffees are next in Premier League action at home to Aston Villa on Wednesday night. It remains to be seen who will take the team for that game.
As for Dyche’s replacement, Jose Mourinho has been ruled out of replacing him on Merseyside.
talkSPORT understands that Mourinho’s unsavoury exit from Roma, also owned by the Friedkin Group, means he will not take the Everton job.
The three-time Premier League winner is currently in charge of Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
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Former manager David Moyes is open to a return, with former AC Milan boss Paulo Fonseca also interested in the role.
Everton are admirers of Gareth Southgate but the ex-England boss has indicated he does not want to return to management mid-season.
