Sean Dyche today launched an impassioned defense of his tenure at Everton and suggested the club is in a better place than when he arrived.
The Toffees are on a four-match winless run in which they have scored just once and are losing 2-0 at home to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Dyche has been criticized by fans for a hard-nosed style of play, but the 53-year-old pointed out that he has had to deal with a number of off-field issues since being appointed two years ago.
One of these was a long period of uncertainty while Farhad Moshiri tried to sell the club. The Friedkin Group completed its takeover just before Christmas, prompting speculation that Dyche could be dumped.
Dietz speaks
However, the former Burnley boss believes his achievements at Goodison Park should be highlighted.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth, he said: “I think there has been development from a lot of players here. My work here has been endless, but no one really cares – it just bothers them to ‘go and win a mate’. I kept saying that. We’ve saved hundreds of millions of pounds, wages, we’re gutting the squad, everything else – it’s not relevant – it’s ‘just go and win a game’.
“I know the work we’ve done here. I know the work we have done financially. I know the work we’ve done with the players – the players here are worth 10 times more than when we got here, so there’s progress. The only growth for the fans and the media and what everyone cares about, including me to some extent, is winning games.
“Some coaches have the luxury of going, ‘your job is to focus on the team and that’s it because everything else is in place.’ Obviously it wasn’t here and it still isn’t. There are miles to go, there is endless work to go here.
“It depends how you measure it. If you measure it by winning games, we have to do better, I have to do better. If you count that in the whole job, I’m very happy.”
January is a difficult month for business activity
Dyche played down the idea that the arrival of new owners automatically means Everton will be active in the January transfer window.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time and January is known to be a very difficult month because you never know,” he added.
“I’m not saying no, but it’s very difficult. Forgetting the numbers, usually if big deals are done, then they’ve often paid a lot of money to make those big deals happen.”
Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been linked with a move to Atalanta but Dyche says the Serie A leaders have not been in touch.
“No, there has been no contact from anyone,” he said. “Of course there will be rumours, that’s their nature.
“I think we would think about it if it happened, but since there was no contact, there’s no need for discussion.”
The Quartet is still absent
Everton head to Bournemouth in 16th place in the Premier League, two points clear of Ipswich, who occupy the last relegation spot.
They will still be without Tim Iroegbunam, James Garner, Dwight McNeil and Seamus Coleman at the Vitality Stadium.
▶️ Fitness updates from Sean Dyche ahead of this weekend’s trip to Bournemouth. pic.twitter.com/8zUchLXuGh
— Everton (@Everton) January 2, 2025
“Tim Iroegbunam and James Garner are back on the grass, with the sports science side though, not quite ready for us yet,” said Dyche. “There is still a little time for them, but they are making progress.
“I doubt Dwight McNeill will be ready at the weekend, it’s convenient, but getting him in at the last minute where he can be involved again is proving to be a bit more difficult than we thought.
“Sheamus is not ready. Nothing too serious, but he’s not ready for this.”
