Jake O’Brien says Sean Dyche did not like him after what happened at Everton
Jake O’Brien has revealed what he did not enjoy about Sean Dyche at Everton.
Dyche was sacked as Everton manager at the start of 2025, admitting he had taken the Toffees as far as he could, one point above the relegation zone.
Under the management of David Moyes, things have taken a positive turn and they now sit 14 points clear of the Premier League bottom three.
O’Brien wasn’t happy with Dyche at Everton
Although Dyche faced difficult times throughout his tenure as Everton boss, the position he was in with his side was not acceptable.
The former boss had his side well drilled defensively but the Toffees were not winning games and Dyche was clearly out of ideas when it came to how to change things for the better.
One man who has certainly felt the effects of the managerial change is O’Brien.
Under Dyche, the centre-back made just two Premier League appearances throughout the campaign, having to settle for warming the bench the remainder of the time.
However, Moyes has used the 23-year-old in every game he has managed and he is now playing 90 minutes every week.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo (26 February), O’Brien admitted he struggled under the former management, saying: “I wasn’t happy that I wasn’t playing. I had conversations and I wasn’t happy for those few months. I worked hard in training and when my chance came, I think I took it.
“Look, it is football, some managers like [you] and some managers don’t. It is a game of opinions. I think the old manager didn’t like the way I played, but the new manager has seen something in me and given me a run of games.”
Moyes has transformed Everton
It is clear to see that Everton are a much better side under the management of Moyes and that is why they have been able to climb the table in the way they have.
| Everton v Aston Villa | 0-1 |
| Everton v Tottenham | 3-2 |
| Brighton v Everton | 0-1 |
| Everton v Leicester | 4-0 |
| Everton v Liverpool | 2-2 |
| Crystal Palace v Everton | 1-2 |
| Everton v Manchester United | 2-2 |
However, it is not just results that have changed with many players in the team looking much more confident and performing to much higher levels each week.
O’Brien was probably one of those players looking at this season as a write-off, worrying if he was going to be part of a relegation squad but now he is in a side that is constantly gaining points.
With the move to Bramley-Moor Dock at the end of the season, the Toffees will be eager to keep their momentum going so they can embark on their new era in a positive light.
Furthermore, with financial restrictions easing due to their takeover, it looks as though the future could be much brighter for Everton under the guidance of Moyes.