Everton boss Dyche is happy with his work at Goodison Park

Sean Dyche made an impassioned defense of his tenure at Everton today, suggesting the club is in better shape than when he arrived.

The Toffees are winless in four games, scoring just one goal, and lost 2-0 at home to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Dyche has been criticized by fans for his dour style of play, but the 53-year-old pointed out that he has struggled with several off-field issues since his appointment two years ago.

One of them was a long period of uncertainty while Farhad Moshiri tried to sell the club. The Friedkin Group completed its takeover just before Christmas, leading to speculation that Dyche could be sacked.

Dyche talks himself up

However, the former Burnley manager believes his achievements at Goodison Park should be highlighted.

Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth, he said: “I think a lot of the players have developed here. My work here has been endless, but no one really cares – all they care about is “getting a playmate.” I’ve been saying that all along. We’ve saved hundreds of millions of pounds, saved wages, reduced the size of the squad and everything else – it’s not relevant – it’s, “Just go win a game.”

“I know the work we have done here. I know the work we have done financially. I know the work we have done with the players – the players here are worth ten times more than when we arrived, so there is development. The only development that the fans, the media and everyone, including me to a certain extent, care about is winning games.

“Some managers have the luxury of saying, ‘Your job is to just focus on the team and that’s it because everything else is there.'” It clearly wasn’t here and still isn’t here. There are still miles to go, there is endless work ahead.

“It depends on how you measure it. If you only measure it by winning games, we have to do better, I have to do better. If you measure it against the overall work, I’m pretty happy.”

January is a difficult month for business

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 as we know, January is a very hard month because you never know,” he added.

“I’m not saying no, but it’s very hard. Let’s forget the numbers: When big deals get done, they 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 contact.

“No, there was no contact from anyone,” he said. “There will inevitably be rumors, that’s the nature of things.

“I think we would think about it if it happened, but since there has been no contact there is no need for discussion.”

Quartet still absent

Everton travel to Bournemouth in 16th place in the Premier League, two points ahead of Ipswich, who occupy the final relegation spot.

They will still be without Tim Iroegbunam, James Garner, Dwight McNeil and Seamus Coleman at the Vitality Stadium.

▶️ Sean Dyche’s fitness updates 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 pitch, but the sports science team is not ready for us yet,” said Dyche. “They still have some time ahead of them, but they are making progress.

“I doubt Dwight McNeil will be ready at the weekend, things are settling down, but getting him to that final moment where he can compete again is proving to be a little harder than we thought.

“Seamus is not ready. Nothing too serious, but he’s not ready for that yet.”