Burnley stalwarts are stunned by the club's management under American owners ALK.

Sean Dyche's unexpected departure on Friday follows a pattern that has seen around 20 staff leave in 14 months under the American's ownership.

It is suggested chairman Alan Pace, and the club's US owners, underestimated the connection between Dyche and the supporters after nine-and-a-half years in charge, making him deserving of a 'Wenger-style' send-off that never came.

"The Americans do not know the game, they do not know Burnley," a source told the Daily Mail.

"They have made a mess of it. The amount of people who have left... Good people who have dedicated years and years to the club. They have built it and delivered success. People who live in the town and know the supporters.

"But it has all gone down the drain, now. The owners don't care what Burnley has done over the last 15 years. They don't get it.

"The club is up to its eyeballs in debt. No manager, no chief executive. What's going on?"

Even before the latest exodus, which saw Dyche, Ian Woan, Steve Stone, goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer and lead physio Alasdair Beattie head out of the door, a raft of senior figures left Burnley in the months after the ALK takeover.

The exodus of staff has included Sean Dyche, but also his team, including assistant Ian Woan. The technical director, Mike Rigg, the academy manager, Jon Pepper, the head of commercial affairs, Anthony Fairclough, the media chief, Darren Bentley, and the chief executive, Neil Hart, all went.

Others left too, from a range of departments at various ranks including media, commercial, events and ticketing. Insiders estimate about 20 have gone in total.