Burnley fire Dyche in bid to stay afloat

LONDON • Struggling Burnley yesterday sacked long-serving manager Sean Dyche with eight games of the Premier League season remaining.

The Clarets are 18th in the English top flight, four points adrift of safety after just four wins all season.

"Results this season have been disappointing and, while this was an incredibly difficult decision, with eight crucial games of the campaign remaining, we feel a change is needed to give the squad the best possible chance of retaining its Premier League status," chairman Alan Pace said in a club statement.

"We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Sean and his staff for their achievements at the club over the last decade."

The 50-year-old Dyche, who last September signed a new contract due to run until 2025, had been the longest-serving manager of any club in the Premier League, having taken charge in October 2012.

He twice led the Clarets to promotion from the Championship and brought European football to Turf Moor in 2018 despite a limited budget.

But his side have been in the bottom three virtually all season and last week's 2-0 defeat at bottom side Norwich City was a major setback in their survival bid.

Under-23 coach Mike Jackson, assisted by academy director Paul Jenkins, U-23 goalkeeping coach Connor King and club captain Ben Mee, will take charge for tomorrow's trip to West Ham.

"The process of replacing Sean has begun and further announcements will be made to supporters in due course," said Pace, whose ALK Capital group took over the club in 2020.

Burnley have 24 points after 30 games, four behind Frank Lampard's Everton, who are in 17th place.

REUTERS