Everton's relegation rivals Leeds United have sacked manager Jesse Marsch as the club seeks to avoid the drop.
Leeds announced the decision on Monday afternoon, the day after a defeat to Nottingham Forest that left them outside the bottom three on goal difference alone. Marsch had been under increasing pressure before that result, which left the side winless in seven Premier League games.
The decision means five of the bottom six have changed manager this season, with West Ham United's David Moyes the only one to have survived his team's form to date. It also means Everton will likely be one of the first sides to face Marsch's replacement, with Leeds next to visit Goodison Park on February 18.
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Marsch was appointed Leeds boss last February. Like Frank Lampard at Everton, he helped his club narrowly avoid the drop to the Championship but then struggled to build on that achievement during this campaign. Unlike Lampard, he received millions to spend in January and broke the club's transfer record to sign Georginio Rutter last month.
His sacking is the latest significant development in the lower reaches of the table and comes after Everton moved level on points with Leeds after beating league leaders Arsenal in Sean Dyche's first game as Lampard's successor. Leeds face Manchester United twice in the league before visiting Everton and the club said the search for Marsch's replacement is underway.
In a statement, the club said: "Leeds United can confirm head coach Jesse Marsch has been relieved of his duties. Jesse joined the club in February 2022 and was instrumental in keeping the club in the Premier League on the final day of last season. We would like to thank Jesse and his backroom staff for their efforts and wish them well for the future. The process of appointing a new head coach is underway and we will continue to keep supporters up to date throughout the coming days."
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