Premiership: Smith sacked: reports

Everton have sacked manager Walter Smith to bring his four-year reign at Goodison Park to an end, according to newspaper reports.

The report claims Archie Knox, Smith’s assistant, will assume temporary control of the team.

Everton were dumped out of the FA Cup 3-0 by Middlesbrough on Sunday and now face a fight for their Premiership lives.

They currently sit just one point above the relegation zone and a section of fans made it clear they wanted Smith out after the final whistle at The Riverside.

The Sun claims Smith will take a £1m (€1.6m) pay-off and give those fans their wish.

Everton’s board was reported to have been split on Smith’s future, but now seem to want a new man in charge for the run-in.

Preston manager David Moyes, who has been linked with Premiership jobs at Southampton and West Ham in the last 12 months, is Everton’s target, according to the report.