Everton boss Sean Dyche should be furious as Premier League announcement made
Sean Dyche has not been included on the five-man shortlist for Premier League manager of the season, and the Everton boss has a right to be frustrated with that, even if he won't say so publicly.
Everton have faced another extremely challenging campaign off the pitch but Dyche has guided his side to Premier League safety with two games remaining, overcoming two points deductions totalling eight points in the process.
Sky Sports posted on X with the five nominees for manager of the season, with Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola the only listed coach not currently in charge of one of the league's top four sides.
Dyche, however, was nowhere to be seen on the shortlist, putting into question whether the Premier League have truly recognised his achievements at Goodison Park this season.
Should Sean Dyche be nominated for Manager of the Year?
In short, yes.
Everton have had anything and everything thrown at them season; none more so than the biggest points deduction in Premier League history in November following an FFP breach.
That may have been reduced to six on appeal in February, but just weeks later another two points were chalked off the Toffees' tally in yet another PSR penalty.
However, having eight points missing from their total hasn't dented Dyche's ability to lift his squad, and a sensational turnaround in form last month saw them confirm their Premier League safety.
Four wins from the last six games, including a 2-0 victory over city rivals Liverpool, saw the Blues turn Goodison Park back into the fortress of old.
Furthermore, the Toffees would have been comfortably mid-table for much of the season - just like Iraola's Bournemouth have - if they hadn't seen those eight points docked.
In fact, they'd be 13th, and a huge 19 points away from the drop zone.
Add to that the fact that despite only scoring 38 goals (the second-lowest in the division), Everton have conceded just 49 at the other end, giving them the fourth-best defence in the entire Premier League!
It's not been pretty at times, but as their off-field mismanagement threatened to spill out onto the pitch, Dyche has steadied the Everton ship amidst the choppiest of waters this season.
Has he done a job worthy of Premier League recognition? Absolutely.
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