Burnley sack Sean Dyche in midst of Premier League relegation battle

Burnley have sacked Sean Dyche as manager with the club battling to stay in the Premier League. Dyche, who took the job in October 2012, leaves with his team third from bottom, four points adrift of 17th-placed Everton.

“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,” said the chairman, Alan Pace.

“The process of replacing Sean has begun and further announcements will be made to supporters in due course.”

Burnley said Sunday’s game at West Ham would be overseen by the under-23s coach Mike Jackson with assistance from the academy director Paul Jenkins, the under-23s goalkeeping coach Connor King and the captain Ben Mee.

Burnley have lost five of their past six matches, winning the other at Everton, and last weekend’s defeat at bottom-placed Norwich has prompted the board to make the change.

Dyche has twice got the club promoted from the Championship, achieved two top-half Premier League finishes and under him Burnley qualified for Europe for the first time in 51 years. He was the Premier League’s longest-serving manager – a mantle that passes to Jürgen Klopp, who took charge of Liverpool in October 2015.

“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,” Pace said. “During his time at Turf Moor, Sean has been a credit both on and off the pitch, respected by players, staff, supporters, and the wider football community.”

Dyche’s assistants Ian Woan, Steve Stone and Billy Mercer have also departed with the club on four league wins this