Everton defender Ashley Williams has admitted that the sacking of manager Ronald Koeman "hurts" the players.

The Dutchman's reign was cut at 16 months following a disappointing start to the season.

After spending more than £100m on new players in the summer transfer window, Koeman failed to guide the team to a positive start on the pitch, instead recording just two wins in nine Premier League games.

David Unsworth, who works as Everton's Under-23s coach, is currently in temporary charge of the first team and has told reporters that he wants the job full time.

Ahead of Thursday's crucial Europa League group match against Lyon, Williams told the media: "I think it hurts, definitely. He was someone we all liked and you feel responsible as a player. We're disappointed for everyone, not just the players, it's our profession as players, for the fans and for everyone in the club, it's not nice when you're not winning games and it effects everyone in the club.

"It's always disappointing when a manager loses his job and you do take responsibility for that. I think he understood that it is football and it happens, we all understand this, we've all been here before and maybe will be here again. It does hurt, and when you're in the training ground at times like that it's not always a nice place to be, when confidence is low.

"All footballers go through it at some point but there is always another game, especially with us, we've got so many games coming up, you have to get over whatever it is very quickly because you don't want a hangover going into the next game. We're supporting Unsy, I've enjoyed training and I've enjoyed working with him so far and I wish we could've got the results that I feel we maybe deserved."

Under Unsworth's guidance, the team have lost two games.