Richard Keys and Andy Gray moot controversial reason why Everton boss Sean Dyche snubbed for award
Richard Keys and Andy Gray have suggested that Everton boss Sean Dyche was overlooked as a nominee for Premier League manager of the year because he is British.
The Premier League announced their five nominees for the award were Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery, Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Andoni Iraola on 11 May.
Dyche led the Toffees away from relegation despite two points deductions and huge financial issues off the pitch, and while speaking on beIN Sports (14 May) to discuss the nominees Keys suggested that it could be because he is British.
“Our guys don’t tend to make an impact on the people that make those decision, do they?” he said, to which Gray immediately replied “no”, before Keys continued.
“I think there are two really good candidates there. When you consider what Sean Dyche has put up with off the pitch whilst producing what he has on, I think it’s remarkable.”
Gray then backed his suggestion and claimed he was overlooked as his style of football isn’t “pretty enough”.
“Whatever Sean Dyche has done, and he’s done a brilliant job, he hasn’t done it pretty enough for the people who vote for these things,” he said.
“They want the football played the so-called right way, and Sean hasn’t been able to, whether he would do it or not, hasn’t been able to do that this season because of circumstances, because of where Everton are and because of where the club is right now.
“So he’s had to play football in a certain way to protect the Premier League status of Everton and he’s done that. I think he’s done a wonderful job.”
Hard to explain Everton snub in awards this season
Obviously the manager of the year should realistically go to the manager who wins the league every season, but since that isn’t the criteria it’s hard to explain how Dyche was overlooked.
Without the points deductions this season the club would be sitting in 11th place, level on points with Brighton, who have been massively praised for their style and performances.
But it’s results that matter most and to avoid relegation despite all the huge issues off the pitch, Everton have come out on the other side as a Premier League club.
Jarrad Branthwaite was also somehow overlooked for the young player of the year award despite being part of one of the defences with the most clean sheets this season, and its impossible to understand or explain.
Blaming their nationality might be a bit of a stretch, but there’s no doubt something fishy going on for Everton to be ignored so blatantly.
In other Everton news, the club have shared an official takeover update after Moshiri struck a new agreement.
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