Everton’s under-fire boss Ronald Koeman arrived at the club’s training ground at 7am on Monday morning in what turned out to be his last day in the role.
Koeman was dismissed from his post just hours later with Everton’s chiefs acting swiftly following the 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal on Sunday.
Everton chiefs Robert Elstone and Bill Kenwright drove into the Finch Farm complex later that afternoon before the club released a statement confirming Koeman had left the club.
Ronald Koeman drove into Everton’s Finch Farm training ground at 7am on Monday morning
The Dutchman is under pressure after Everton’s 5-2 loss to Arsenal saw them fall to 18th place
Toffees chairman Kenwright and chief executive Elstone moved quickly following Everton’s fifth league defeat of the season which saw them slip into the relegation zone.
Kenwright was at Goodison Park on Sunday, sitting alongside major shareholder Farhad Moshiri in the director’s box, to watch the latest limp performance from his side.
Koeman had arrived at training as normal on Monday amid mounting pressure from sections of Everton’s support.
Just hours earlier Koeman eased the pain of Everton’s latest defeat by dining out at an Italian restaurant on Sunday evening until 10pm.
The Everton boss was spotted outside San Carlo in central Manchester where he enjoyed a meal with his wife Bartina and a group of friends before they headed for a nightcap at the nearby Neighbourhood bar.
Koeman flashed a smile as he walked to San Carlo restaurant in central Manchester on Sunday
Pep Guardiola donned a flat cap and blazer as he left the same Italian restaurant on Sunday
And Koeman was joined by a manager experiencing contrasting fortunes on Sunday night, with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola also present at San Carlo.
Guardiola appeared to be enjoying himself after leaving the restaurant, which is located just five minutes away from The Lowry Hotel where rival boss Jose Mourinho calls his temporary home.
Koeman’s position is under threat after Everton suffered their fifth Premier League defeat of the season on Sunday with the loss to Arsenal.
Guardiola was celebrating another victory
The Dutchman was jeered by sections of the home support following his decision to withdraw Dominic Calvert-Lewin and goalscorer Wayne Rooney with 15 minutes remaining in the contest.
Major shareholder Farhad Moshiri and Chairman Bill Kenwright were both at Goodison Park as the Toffees capitulated and the pair face a big decision in the coming days regarding their manager’s future.
Koeman didn’t sound entirely confident of keeping his job during the post-match press conference, saying: ‘I still personally believe that I can change the whole situation.
‘But everybody knows how it works in football. But okay, that’s only what I am answering about this question. Ask somebody else.’
Koeman spent £150million in the summer on new recruits to spark hope among supporters of a top-four finish but Everton currently find themselves in the relegation zone.
City meanwhile are sitting pretty five points clear at the top of the Premier League after easing to a 3-0 victory over Burnley at the Etihad on Saturday.
Guardiola handed a start to Sergio Aguero in place of Gabriel Jesus and the Argentine rewarded his manager’s faith by netting the opener from the penalty spot to draw level with the club’s record scorer Eric Brook on 177 goals.
Nicolas Otamendi and Leroy Sane scored twice in three second-half minutes to seal the three points as City took their season total to 32 from just nine league games.
Everton manager Koeman appeared in good spirits as he dined out with a group of friends
Koeman strolled alongside his wife Bartina just hours after Everton were beaten 5-2 by Arsenal