Sean Dyche has private understanding of threat to Everton job as Dan Friedkin takeover nears
Sean Dyche privately knows he has a battle on to convince anyone he is the long-term answer as Everton manager, according to Paul Joyce.
The Times journalist wrote for the paper’s website on 26 September, after the ex-Burnley boss public stated he wants to stay on under the prospective new ownership of The Friedkin Group, that the Americans have already shown a “ruthless streak” after sacking Roma legend Daniele De Rossi four games into his three-year permanent deal.
Dyche’s contract expires at the end of the season but his chances of making it that far, regardless of the ownership situation, has been called into question after a dreadful start to the campaign, with four-straight losses, including two from 2-0 up, before securing a first point at Leicester last week (21 September).
The 53-year-old said he hasn’t had any contact with Dan Friedkin or any of his group yet, but does want to continue if he can: “What, to dig this out for 20-whatever-it-would-be-by-then months and them to go, ‘Cheers, thanks for looking after us, off you pop’? Of course I would [like to stay], but there is no divine right to just go, ‘Oh well, you are definitely the person to do that.’ And if not, then that is the way it goes.”
Graham Potter and Gareth Southgate linked to Everton job
Dyche’s flaws have been on full display so far this season, with his rigid approach to tactics, team selections and substitutions a major gripe for many supporters.
His apparent refusal to acknowledge responsibility for his role in any of the poor results so far is arguably what is winding up the fanbase the most, with his comments after throwing away a two-goal 87th-minute lead at home to Bournemouth going down like a lead balloon [Michael Ball, 2 September].
It seems fanciful that the long-awaited new era at Everton, in their newly-built Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, would continue with an increasingly unpopular holdover from the old regime at the helm, even if he sees out his contract this season.
The club are said to owe him another year’s salary if they get rid of him before then [The Esk, 15 September] so if Friedkin doesn’t feel relegation is a genuine risk it wouldn’t be a surprise for the American let the incumbent see out his term.
David Moyes has been linked but he equally wouldn’t project a forward-thinking image that the Friedkins would surely want once they are in place, while so have Gareth Southgate and Graham Potter, who might [GiveMeSport, 23 September].
All the same it is easy to forget that Dyche has ultimately done his job as Everton boss so far in keeping the club in the Premier League in difficult circumstances.
If the takeover is completed as expected within the next few months [Ben Jacobs, 23 September] it wouldn’t be a surprise if the manager’s days are then numbered, but maybe once he is gone he will be viewed more fondly as the firefighter who got the Toffees over the line to the new era just about in one piece.
In other Everton news, Kieran Maguire has issued a Toffees PSR verdict for Friedkin’s spending capabilities in the January transfer window.
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