Everton sack Smith

Everton FC have sacked manager Walter Smith after a run of one win in 13 FA Premiership matches saw the club drop closer to the relegation zone.

Moyes approach
The Merseyside club have made an official approach to secure the services of Preston North End FC manager David Moyes as Smith's replacement. Preston's acting chairman Derek Shaw said: "In my opinion, David Moyes is the best young manager in football at the moment and it is not in our interests to lose him. Myself and chief executive Tony Scholes will be sitting down with David Moyes this afternoon to discuss the approach made by Everton." Scholes added: "In any event, we will not allow David to leave unless an adequate compensation package is agreed."

Reign over
The club confirmed earlier on Wednesday that Smith's three-and-a-half-year reign was over in a statement released on their official website. "Everton Football Club wishes to announce that its team manager, Mr Walter Smith OBE, has today left the club, his contract having been terminated," the statement read. "The club wishes to thank Mr Smith for his service since his appointment in the summer of 1998."

No further comment
"The club has now begun the process of identifying and then appointing a new manager, something which, it is hoped, will be concluded as swiftly as is possible."

FA Cup defeat
Everton were knocked out of the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage 3-0 by Middlesbrough FC on Sunday and are just one point above the relegation zone. The 54-year-old Smith - a former Rangers FC manager - succeeded Howard Kendall at Everton in July 1998.