Everton eye Sean Dyche as Frank Lampard managerial replacement but face Southampton competition
Everton are eyeing up former Burnley manager Sean Dyche as a potential managerial replacement for Frank Lampard but could face competition from Southampton, according to The Mirror.
The Toffees have gone from bad to worse under Lampard this season, culminating in an embarrassing 4-1 loss to Brighton at Goodison Park.
The Englishman’s side have subsequently slipped into the Premier League relegation zone and will now look to the January transfer window as his saving grace on Merseyside.
With the pressure on Lampard now reaching boiling point, the club are reportedly keeping tabs on survival specialist Dyche, who is said to have “admirers” in both Everton’s and the Saints’ boardrooms.
The Mirror reported: “Struggling Everton and Southampton are eyeing moves for former Burnley boss Sean Dyche if they decide to make a change.
“That opportunity could be approaching, with Frank Lampard at Everton and Nathan Jones, who only took over at St Mary’s in November from Ralph Hasenhuttl, under severe pressure.
“Ironically, the two relegation-threatened clubs meet at Goodison Park on Saturday 14 January – a must-win fixture for both managers, if they last that long. Dyche, who constantly had Burnley punching above their weight, has admirers in both boardrooms and the fact that he is immediately available is a huge advantage.”
Perfect replacement
The appointment of Dyche might not be a pretty one, but the former Clarets manager has the perfect skill set to lead Everton away from the relegation zone.
During his nine-and-a-half years at Turf Moor, the 51-year-old was given pennies to spend and turned a squad which looked Championship quality at best into a side competing for Europa League place.
His remarkable work with Burnley went under the radar, and considering the Toffees’ current financial predicaments – which was highlighted by the recalling of striker Ellis Simms from his loan at Sunderland – Dyche could well be the perfect fit.
He has previously worked with centre-back James Tarkowski, so shaping the defence to his requirements could be eased by this past relationship, and he would definitely get every ounce out of the current crop of players at Goodison Park.
The sacking of Lampard seems inevitable now, and the club must beat off competition from Southampton if they do decide to make a change.