Joe Royle severs ties with Everton after 50 years' service

Joe Royle has stepped down from his position as part of Everton's backroom staff to end his long-running association with the Premier League club.

The 68-year-old departs a week after Sam Allardyce was appointed as the permanent successor to Ronald Koeman at Goodison Park.

Royle has also previously managed and played for the Toffees, spending more than half a century linked to the Merseyside club in one way or another.

However, the Liverpool Echo suggests that the club legend will still be involved on matchdays in some capacity, albeit away from the dugout.

A striker in his playing days, Royle could boast being Everton's youngest-ever player for nearly 40 years from the moment he made his debut against Blackpool in 1966.