Sacking on day of game was circumstantial says Dyche, as he looks to make triumphant return to Toffees

REDS BOSS PLAYS DOWN HIS AXING HOURS BEFORE FA CUP TIE AS 'TOTALLY FABRICATED - IT DIDN'T HAPPEN LIKE THAT'

- By LEIGH CURTIS

SEAN Dyche has denied claims that Everton sacked him on the day of a game as “totally fabricated” and insisted he knew of his fate long before it became official.

The Nottingham Forest boss has opened up on his time in the Toffees hotseat as he prepares to face his old employers for the first time since he was axed as manager in January.

Everton announced his exit just hours before the club were due to face Peterborough United in an FA Cup tie, which drew criticism in some quarters because of the timing.

But Dyche set the record straight ahead of the Premier League clash and said the confirmation of his departure was purely down to circumstance.

Asked about the sacking on the day of the cup tie against Posh, Dyche responded: “That is an absolutely fabricated story.

“It was already in the process of happening - things still need to be agreed, you know.

“It was another throwaway story. It never happened like that, it was just the timeline. People were arguing about this and that, lawyers wanted everything done properly - as did I.