Beleaguered Rafa Benitez has been sacked by Everton after just six months in charge.
The 61-year-old has paid the price for a dismal season that culminated in a 2-1 defeat to Premier League strugglers Norwich.
Benitez, who won the Champions League as Liverpool boss in 2005, was not a well received appointment among many Everton fans and animosity has come to a head in recent weeks.
The Toffees have slipped to sixteenth in the league, just six points above the drop zone.
And following another miserable outing at the weekend, the Everton hierarchy have pulled the trigger.
An Everton statement said: "Everton Football Club can confirm the departure of Rafael Benitez as First Team manager.
"Benitez, who joined Everton in June 2021, has left the Club with immediate effect.
"An update on a permanent replacement will be made in due course."
Signing Nathan Patterson from Rangers was among Benitez' last acts at the club.
The Scotland international right-back has been an unused substitute in the two match day squads selected since his arrival from Ibrox and is still awaiting his debut.
