Everton’s players arrived at Finch Farm for training led by David Unsworth on Tuesday as former manager Ronald Koeman released a statement expressing his disappointment after being sacked.
Wayne Rooney was pictured arriving on his 32nd birthday being driven into training. Rooney was given a two-year driving ban in September after admitting drink driving in court.
Blues defender Ramiro Funes Mori shared footage from inside Everton’s training complex of Ross Barkley going through rehabilitation from a hamstring injury on an exercise bike, with the caption ‘almost there Ross!!’.
Ronald Koeman says he is ‘naturally disappointed’ after being sacked as Everton manager
Wayne Rooney was pictured being driven to Everton training on his 32nd birthday
David Unsworth has been placed in temporary charge by Everton following Koeman’s exit
Everton midfielder Ross Barkley was filmed on an exercise bike by Ramiro Funes Mori
Dutch manager Koeman was axed following Sunday’s 5-2 defeat by Arsenal, which left Everton in the relegation zone.
‘I would like to place on record my thanks to the players and staff for all of their work and commitment during my 16 months as Everton manager,’ Koeman said in a statement he released on Twitter.
‘I would like to thank Bill Kenwright, Farhad Moshiri and the Everton Board for the opportunity to have managed a great club and to the fans as well for their passionate support for the club.
‘Naturally, I am disappointed at this moment, but I wish the team good luck for the future.’
Everton announced early on Tuesday that former defender David Unsworth has been placed in temporary charge.
His first match is against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, followed by a league fixture away to Leicester on Sunday.
Ross Barkley is continuing his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury
Belgium attacker Kevin Mirallas arrives for training at a blustery Finch Farm on Tuesday
Unsworth is one of the front-runners to land the job on permanent terms and has already filled in as caretaker before, when Roberto Martinez left Everton with a game remaining of the 2015-16 season.
On that occasion, he led the Toffees to a 3-0 victory over Norwich.
Ross Barkley was also pictured arriving at Finch Farm on Tuesday as he continues his rehabilitation from a torn hamstring.
Koeman’s departure may have repercussions for the England midfielder’s own Goodison Park future.
Everton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin missed the Arsenal defeat due to injury
Seamus Coleman is continuing his recovery from a broken leg sustained in March
Before he sustained his injury in the summer, Barkley was set to seal a move away from his boyhood club with Koeman failing to cajole an upturn in form from the attacking midfielder.
Whether Unsworth takes charge on permanent terms or a different manager is appointed, Barkley’s future will be up in the air again when the January transfer window comes around and his status within the squad could change under a new boss.
Team-mate Ramiro Funes Mori shared a footage on his Instagram story of Barkley on an exercise bike with the caption ‘almost there Ross!!’.