Sean Dyche has been sacked by Burnley, the club has announced.

In an unbelievable turn of events, the now-former longest serving manager in the Premier League has left The Clarets four points from safety with eight games left to play.

Also leaving Turf Moor are assistant manager Ian Woan, first-team coach Steve Stone and goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer.

  • What chairman Pace had to say

It would be an understatement to say that Alan Pace is an unpopular man amongst Burnley fans now.

The timing of the decision has angered many, with some believing the dismissal should have come after the defeat to Brentford before the last International Break.

In the statement, 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.”

The one thing to make the timing of the dismissal understandable would be that a ready-made replacement would be there waiting.

However, that is not the case with Under-23s coach Mike Jackson, Academy Director Paul Jenkins, Under-23s goalkeeping coach Connor King and club captain Ben Mee being named in charge of the side at West Ham United on Sunday.

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

  • Dyche’s time in charge

Burnley’s statement claimed Dyche oversaw the most successful period in the club’s history.

In his nine-and-a-half years at the helm, The Clarets were promoted from the Championship twice, once as Champions in 2015/16, with a club record of 93 points on both occasions.

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After avoiding relegation in 2016/17, Dyche guided Burnley to a miraculous seventh place finish and European qualification for the first time in more than 50 years, falling to Olympiacos in the play-off round of the 2018/19 Europa League.

When Pace took over in December 2020, there was a hope for a new start for the club, finally providing Dyche with funds to build a squad that had aims higher than survival.

After a summer which saw the arrival of Maxwel Cornet as the star attraction, Burnley struggled to pick up many points and found themselves struggling at the bottom end of the table.

The club have only won four games all season and scored just 25 goals – both of which are the lowest in the league.

The ‘Iron Jaw’ Burnley became so well-known for has seemingly disappeared, and a lack of energy and ideas seemed to adorn many Burnley performances this campaign.

Dyche leaves after just one win in seven and a 2-0 defeat at Norwich City last weekend.

  • Many are questioning the timing

Why the decision has come on Friday, two days before the game at West Ham and not Sunday evening or Monday morning after that defeat at Carrow Road is the main question.

It does make you wonder whether something has happened in the past day or so behind the scenes to force Pace’s hand on the matter, but that is purely speculation.

A businessman of his stature would know that heading into a very important time without a manager is a massive risk. Really massive.

And – maybe an even bigger risk – if Burnley are to go down, who comes in that is better equipped at getting out of the Championship than Sean Dyche?

He has lost just 10 of his last 95 games in the second tier, and there aren’t many who can match that type of record.

Names such as Daniel Farke or Slavisa Jokanovic are available and both have good promotion pedigree, but will they or any other manager understand the Burnley ethos?

They won’t understand it better than Sean Dyche, that is for sure.

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