Sean Dyche fate at Everton ‘almost certain’ after Aston Villa loss ahead of pivotal week
Sean Dyche’s fate as Everton manager is “almost certain” after the defeat to Aston Villa ahead of a “pivotal” week, the i reports.
According to the outlet’s website on 17 September the Toffees boss retains the full backing of all the club’s key decision makers despite seeing his side throw away a second two-goal lead in succession to lose 3-2 at Villa Park at the weekend to raise “alarm” among fans and questions over his methods.
The Toffees face Southampton in the Carabao Cup before a trip to the King Power in the Premier League to face Leicester in what is seen as a crucial week for the club.
But whatever the outcome of those games Farhad Moshiri is said to still have faith in the former Burnley boss he hired nearly two years ago, as he continues the process of selling the club.
Farhad Moshiri backs Everton boss amid takeover process
However bad things get on the pitch right now Dyche only really needs to worry about what Moshiri feels, so if the owner remains on board he should be safe.
That is bound to change if and when he finally completes a sale of his 94.1 per cent share, with Dan Friedkin reportedly back in the frame to compete with John Textor [Bloomberg, 16 September].
The part-Crystal Palace owner is said to have private concerns about Dyche [TBR Football, 13 September] after a dismal set of results to start the season left Everton bottom of the table without a point.
But until then it is in doubt whether Moshiri could afford to sack the manager after terms in his contract emerged [The Esk, 15 September], and the interim board appear relatively powerless to act either way [Telegraph, 13 September] even if the stance from Goodison Park is that criticism is overblown.
Removing Dyche is one thing with results poor and his selections and substitutions causing increasing grief with the fanbase, but appointing a capable successor is quite another when Premier League survival is crucial to the takeover, and in general.
Graham Potter is liked and David Moyes is expected to be considered if a move had to be made [TBR Football, 5 September] but it seems unlikely that the former would accept and the latter might bring with him the same frustrations as Dyche.
It is a moot point if Moshiri is intent on not rocking the boat as he tries to finally offload the club, but the manager is going to have to spark one of his runs of good results soon for pressure to subside.
In other Everton news, squad spots have been left clear for the Toffees to make free agent signings in a “crucial” update.
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