Everton have parted ways with manager Marco Silva following the 5-2 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in the Merseyside derby.
After 15 matches and their latest loss, Everton are now in the Premier League relegation zone, with just four wins to their name this campaign.
Silva was appointed in May 2018 on a three-year deal at Everton, after a protracted chase from the club while the manager was still in place at Watford.
The decision cost Everton £4m in compensation to the Hertfordshire club.
Marco Silva leaves Everton
The club released a statement this evening:
Everton Football Club can confirm that manager Marco Silva has left the club.
Majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, chairman Bill Kenwright and the board of directors would like to thank Marco for his service over the last 18 months and wish him well for the future.
Duncan Ferguson has taken temporary charge of the first team and will manage the side for the game against Chelsea on Saturday.
The club aims to confirm a new permanent manager as swiftly as possible.
Jordan Pickford
The decision comes a few days after Jordan Pickford stated his belief that Marco Silva could reverse the slide at Everton.
“The only way forward is by sticking together,” Pickford said.
“We have good strength in-depth and a lot of talent at this club and there’s plenty of fighting spirit in the dressing room.
“The manager has been great with us and we are behind him 100%.
“A few bad performances shouldn’t put a manager under pressure but that’s the industry we are in. I do not want to see the manager sacked. I was here when Ronald Koeman lost his job and it was horrible, not nice to see at all.
“We players have to take our own share of the responsibility and try to put in a good performance.
"We just have to keep going and hope the negative results will bring the best out of us. We might be in a sticky patch but the squad is still together.”
As for potential successors, it looks as if former manager David Moyes is among the favourites. Moyes left the club to join Manchester United in 2013, having since managed Sunderland and West Ham United in the Premier League.
Subscribe to Off The Ball's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
