Everton have confirmed the departure of manager Frank Lampard.
Lampard leaves Goodison Park with the club 19th in the Premier League and embroiled in a second successive relegation battle after a run of nine defeats in 12 games.
Official confirmation from the Merseyside club came on Monday evening, with Paul Tait and Leighton Baines set to take training until a new manager is appointed, and former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Alan Kelly remainining in situ.
A club statement read: "Everton Football Club can confirm that Frank Lampard has left his post as senior men's first team manager today.
"Joe Edwards, Paul Clement, Ashley Cole and Chris Jones have also left the Club. Alan Kelly will remain as goalkeeping coach.
"Everyone at Everton would like to thank Frank and his coaching staff for their service during what has been a challenging 12 months.
"Frank and his team's commitment and dedication have been exemplary throughout their time at the club, but recent results and the current league position meant this difficult decision had to be taken. We wish Frank and all his backroom team well for their future in the game.
"The club has started the process to secure a new manager and will provide updates on the appointment in due course.
"Paul Tait and Leighton Baines will take training until a new manager is appointed."
Lampard's last game in charge was Saturday's 2-0 league defeat at West Ham United, which kept them second bottom of the table on 15 points after 20 games, two points adrift of the safety zone.
Just over a year after ending Rafael Benitez's ill-fated 200-day stay, owner Farhad Moshiri has fired his sixth manager in just under seven years since taking over.
Only 10 days ago Moshiri offered public backing for his manager but hugely-damaging defeats to fellow strugglers Southampton and West Ham have forced a change.
The former Derby and Chelsea boss won just nine and lost 21 of his 38 Premier League matches since taking over and departs eight days before the first anniversary of his appointment.
Everton have scored just 34 goals during that period, and this season they have 15 goals in 20 games and have managed to score more than once in a game twice this season.
It leaves the club looking for an eighth permanent manager since May 2016 with a first relegation since 1951 looming large.
Additional reporting: Reuters
