Everton Football Club has parted ways with Sean Dyche, ending his tenure as manager after less than two years.

The announcement, made on Thursday, comes just hours before the Toffees are set to face League One side Peterborough in the FA Cup third round.

In a statement, the club confirmed that under-18s head coach Leighton Baines and club captain Seamus Coleman would step in as interim managers for the fixture.

Four members of Dyche’s coaching team—Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard, and Billy Mercer—have also departed their roles.

READ MORE: Adeleke Distributes Relief Materials To Disaster Victims In Osun State

“Everton Football Club can confirm that Sean Dyche has been relieved of his duties as Senior Men’s First Team Manager with immediate effect,” the club’s statement read.

“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.”

Dyche’s departure follows a string of poor performances in the Premier League. The club currently sits 16th on the table, just one point above the relegation zone. A dismal 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth last Saturday, where Everton failed to record a single shot on target, marked the latest in a series of underwhelming results. The team has managed only three wins in 19 league matches this season.

As the search for a new manager begins, Everton fans will be hoping for swift improvements to avoid another relegation battle.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Thursday staged a protest at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, condemning the recent appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle as the substantive head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

Led by Abdul Yekinn Odunayo, Clerk of the Senate at NANS National Headquarters, the students criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for making what they described as an “unacceptable decision” that disregards the expectations of Nigerians and undermines the wealth of local coaching talent.

READ MORE: Seun Kuti Distances Himself From Burna Boy, Speed Darlington’s Feud

“We are gathered here today to address an issue that has not only baffled us but has also drawn widespread disapproval from Nigerian students and sports enthusiasts alike,” Odunayo stated during the protest.

Odunayo emphasized that the appointment of Chelle, a former Malian international with a managerial history that includes stints at GS Consolat, FC Martigues, and Boulogne, fails to align with the aspirations of Nigerians for a tactical coach capable of leveraging the nation’s abundant football talent.

“This appointment is not only unacceptable but also a slap in the face of our nation’s coaching potential,” Odunayo declared. “NANS, as the voice of Nigerian students, is compelled to demand an immediate reversal of this decision.”

The students also hinted at plans for a nationwide protest if the NFF does not heed their demands, urging the federation to consider a more qualified coach with a proven track record to lead the Super Eagles to success.

Chelle’s appointment was confirmed by the NFF on Tuesday, with his immediate mandate being to secure Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

However, his recent managerial stint with Mali ended in dismissal in June 2024, raising concerns about his readiness for the high-stakes role with the Super Eagles.

In a thrilling but yet agonizing encounter, the Solid Miners fell short on the road, losing 2-1 to Enyimba International FC in a rescheduled matchday 17 game in the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Season.

The game was played at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, Abia State, on Wednesday evening.

Despite Anas Yusuf cancelling out Joseph Atule’s first half goal, his eleventh in the current campaign for the Solid Miners, Nasarawa United could not capitalize on their second half momentum, ultimately succumbing to a 63rd minute winner courtesy of former 2013 Africa Cup of Nations’ Winner with the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Brown Ideye.

ALSO READ: Ganduje Accuses Peter Obi Of Libel, Incitement Against APC Spokesman

The game got off to a blistering start, with both teams creating opportunities. Enyimba drew the first blood via Joseph Atule at the stroke of half-time.

However, rave of the moment and the League’s leading goalscorer, Anas Yusuf drew United on level terms with a well-crafted goal off Qamar Adegoke’s assist, thirteen minute into the restart, his 11th for the Solid Miners this season.

However, former Nigerian international, Brown Ideye, came off the bench to return the home side on the lead, four minutes later, with Joseph Atule the architect of the pass.

Anas Yusuf who helped Nigeria Super Eagles’ Team B with the CHAN 2025 Championship ticket almost drew the visitors level again but missed the sitter to the disbelief of the visitors.

The Aba Elephants held firm to the scoreline up until the full-time to snatch the winner, leaving United to rue their missed chances.

The loss leaves the Solid Miners on 20th position with nineteen points from nineteen games, while Enyimba move up to 7th position with twenty-seven points from seventeen games.

With the league currently on mid-season break, Nasarawa United will be looking forward to fortifying their squad before their next home game against visiting Katsina United FC on 19th January, 2025, when the second stanza commences.