Sean Dyche sacked by Burnley with eight games remaining of Premier League season

Relegation-threatened Burnley have sacked manager Sean Dyche.

The decision comes with the Clarets 18th in the Premier League, four points adrift of safety having won only four matches all season.

A club statement said: "Burnley Football Club can confirm the Club has parted company with manager Sean Dyche, assistant manager Ian Woan, first-team coach Steve Stone and goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer."

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

During that time he had twice led the Clarets to promotion 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 Norwich was seen as a major setback in their survival bid.

The decision has been met with shock from fans, who say it is too late in the season to be changing manager.

Tony Scholes, from the Burnley FC Supporters Groups, says it did not "seem like the best decision" from club.

Chairman Alan Pace said: "Firstly, 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.

"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.

"However, 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." 

Pace, whose ALK Capital group took over at Turf Moor in December 2020, said club captain Ben Mee would be part of the coaching staff for Sunday's trip to West Ham as a replacement is sought.

"Under-23s coach Mike Jackson, assisted by academy director Paul Jenkins, Under-23s goalkeeping coach Connor King and club captain Ben Mee have been asked to take charge of the team for Sunday's game with West Ham United," Pace added.

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

Tony Scholes says Dyche had done a "superb job" during a difficult time.

"He seems to have got the best out of players, but as time has gone one, this season - it's just a lack of investment in the squad," he adds.

"Everybody talks about our squad being very old now, certainly by Premier League standards and there was this inability to refresh the squad due to the finances."