Stan Collymore questions 'weird timing' of sacking of Nottingham Forest favourites

Stan Collymore has criticised Burnley's decision to sack former Nottingham Forest players Sean Dyche, Steve Stone and Ian Woan after losing to relegation rivals Norwich City last weekend.

Dyche had been in charge of the Clarets for nine and a half years before the shock news dropped on Good Friday, with assistant manager Woan and first-team coach Stone following suit. The club confirmed that U23s coach Mike Jackson will take charge of the first team while the search for a new manager takes place.

Dyche was a youth player at Forest whilst Brian Clough was manager at the club, but failed to make an appearance for the senior team due to a severe leg injury holding him back. Woan and Stone became fan favourites at the East Midlands club after making over 400 appearances combined throughout 1989 to 2000.

Collymore reacted to the news on Twitter and suggested that the owners' decision showed a lack of "gratitude" and that it was a "weird" time to get rid of the management trio given how deep into the season it is. The decision comes just two days before they have to play West Ham, too.

"Bloody hell, talk about weird timing and gratitude from Burnley ownership," the former Forest striker tweeted. "Sending Sean, Woany and Stoney all the very best, done way beyond anything any Burnley fan could have expected over the last decade."

Burnley are currently 18th in the Premier League on 24 points, four adrift of Everton and safety. Dyche guided his team to two promotions as manager, including winning the Championship in 2016.

The Lancashire outfit have been a regular top flight team under his stewardship, enjoying six straight seasons in the first tier. Their Premier League status is in grave danger this term, however, following