Leighton Baines has reflected on a "difficult day" that ended on a high with Everton beating Peterborough United 2-0 in the FA Cup third round on Thursday night, just hours after the sacking of Sean Dyche.
Dyche prepared and selected Everton's starting lineup against the Posh, but his dismissal was officially announced just after 4.30pm, with Under-18s head coach Baines and club captain Seamus Coleman placed in interim charge.
Club legends Baines and Coleman led from the touchline at Goodison Park as a disjointed Toffees outfit edged themselves past their League One counterparts in front of a subdued crowd, courtesy of goals from Beto and Iliman Ndiaye.
Beto opened the scoring for Everton three minutes before the break when he latched on to a smart through-ball from impressive teenager Harrison Armstrong before going round goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic and slotting home a composed finish from a tight angle.
Peterborough asked a few questions of the Toffees defence in the second half, but Ndiaye sealed victory for the hosts with a 98th-minute penalty after Jarrad Branthwaite had been brought down in the area by Jadel Katongo.
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Dyche exit, FA Cup win leaves Baines with mixed emotions
The contest at Goodison Park was ultimately overshadowed by the earlier dismissal of Dyche, who departs following a run of just one win in 11 Premier League games and less than a month after the Friedkin Group completed their takeover of the club.
Baines was quickly drafted in to take charge of first-team duties with Coleman, and the 40-year-old has shared his thoughts on what has been an eventful day for all those associated with Everton.
As quoted by Sky Sports after the match, Baines told reporters: "It's been a difficult day but I actually enjoyed it. The players' application was brilliant. We spoke to them before the game - losing managers and coaches isn't what anyone wants.
"A manager losing his job is never good and it normally follows a difficult period. But within all of that, there's got to be hope and optimism. It's something we've spoken about today, things are changing; the football club, ownership, the stadium and things being talked about.
"The manager's had to leave, it's not what anyone wants, but there'll be a new one coming in and that brings opportunity."
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Baines reacts to Moyes rumours, offers reassuring Broja update
Both Baines and Coleman will remain in interim charge until Everton appoint a permanent manager, with the club's new owners allegedly keen to name a successor to Dyche before next Wednesday's Premier League match at home against Aston Villa.
Asked if he could remain in interim charge of Everton for that match with Villa, Baines said: "I don't know, honestly. It's been a mad day. I'm happy to help in whatever way I can, but I'm not putting myself forward for the job."
Responding to speculation linking former Toffees boss David Moyes with a return to Goodison Park, Baines added: "I don't know, I don't want to get dragged into the discussion about who the right man is. What I can do is speak about David because I played for him, he's a good coach to play for and a good man."
Meanwhile, Baines has also provided an update on substitute Armando Broja, who required oxygen before being taken off on a stretcher after sustaining an ankle injury in the closing stages of Everton's win over Peterborough following a robust challenge from Emmanuel Fernandez.
"It looked bad but I've not seen loads," said Baines. "He hasn't gone to hospital because hopefully it's not as bad as we thought it might be, it's a lower-leg injury but he hasn't been taken to hospital."
Broja has been troubled with injuries since joining Everton on loan from Chelsea, with the striker having only recently recovered from a long-term Achilles problem.
Oliver Thomas
