Interim boss Leighton Baines discovered Everton XI just before Posh cup clash

Leighton Baines insists everyone at Everton has to just get on with their own job after being handed the reins on an interim basis following the sacking of manager Sean Dyche.

Everton confirmed Dyche’s departure less than four hours ahead of their FA Cup tie against Peterborough at Goodison Park on Thursday night.

Under-18s head coach Baines and club captain Seamus Coleman have taken charge of first-team affairs on an interim basis, with Everton’s new owners, the Friedkin Group, having already identified their next permanent boss.

Baines admitted it has been a strange situation, but insisted it would remain business as usual for the squad.

“It has been a bit different, but I just found out today like everyone else,” Baines told BBC Sport.

“The starting XI, I have only found out today, so that was picked beforehand and then we have just made a couple of small adjustments based on things we think will help.

“It is different, but it is football. This is our job. The players know how to play football. I’ve been coaching long enough and the people around me are experienced as well.

“The message to the players will be, ‘produce a bright, dynamic performance that is appropriate for Goodison Park’.”

Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson paid tribute to Dyche’s work at Everton.

“It was a bit of a shock,” Ferguson said.

“I don’t know what other better job he could have done in the circumstances he faced.”

Ferguson added: “It’s not really affected our preparation and build up to the game. I am surprised, like everyone else, the timing of it.

“It is a very unusual one, this, but we just have to get on with it. We have got to be professional.

“We have got to make sure we play our game and what we have prepared for, that is the most important thing for us.”

Former Everton midfielder Andros Townsend felt Dyche was a good fit for his former club.

“Sean Dyche is a manager who has made his name from survival in the Premier League,” Townsend said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I don’t think there’s anyone better equipped out there to keep Everton in the Premier League.”

Townsend added: “Whether it’s the right or wrong decision, it’s three hours before kick-off in an FA Cup game.

“It’s a man who has saved you from relegation the last two years – one with a points deduction, yet somehow managed to keep them up and this is how you treat him.

“For me, right or wrong decision, it’s major, major red flags long-term for this new ownership group.”

The PA news agency understands Everton’s owners are hopeful of securing Dyche’s replacement possibly within the next few days having already established who they want, after sounding out Graham Potter before he opted for West Ham.

Former manager David Moyes is the favourite for a return to Goodison Park 12 years after he left for Manchester United.

Ex-Everton defender Alan Stubbs feels it would be a well-received appointment.

“The best one who’s available is David Moyes,” Stubbs said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I can see Moyes being employed by Everton in the next day or two.”

Stubbs added: “I don’t think Sean Dyche is the right man for Everton.

“The football that was getting served up was awful. The last three performances have alarmed the the Friedkin Group and they have made a decision.

“This decision, I think, was made on Sunday. The only surprise about this decision is it’s come on the day of a game.”