Everton boss has “no idea” whether the owners have spoken to other managers following reports of Potter talks
Sean Dyche says he has no idea whether Everton’s new owners have spoken to other candidates about his successor.
Recent reports suggest that the Toffees’ new owners, the Friedkin Group, have reviewed Dyche’s position after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth left them just one point above the relegation zone.
The Toffees had already been looking for a replacement for the 53-year-old and suspected that former Chelsea manager Graham Potter had held talks with both the Merseyside club and West Ham.
Speaking to the media ahead of Thursday’s FA Cup third round tie against Peterborough, Dyche insists he accepts the owners will have a succession plan.
He said: “That’s how it should be (at a club where you look to the future). If you are a business of this size, succession planning should be part of your due diligence.
“I have no problem with that at all, it should be like that at every football club. That’s part of the business.
“I never worry about that. You have to win games, we haven’t won enough this season. You always have to please everyone, that’s the job and that’s without a doubt my responsibility.
“We have had positive conversations, they know the work we have done and they want better results when they win games. The situation is real, that’s all I know, they were very direct with me and very open.
“Whether they spoke to other managers or not, they certainly didn’t tell me. I don’t know how it works in the world of privacy, but if they have it, it’s succession planning.
“It’s also a business, I completely understand that whoever it was, that should be part of how every company operates.”
Dyche: I’m just an administrator at Everton
Everton’s poor form has reportedly caused their owners to rethink Dyche’s future after initially wanting to keep him on board to steady the ship until the summer.
He added: “We are still investing a lot. I try hard to try different ways and take all the different parameters into account.
“That’s part of being a manager, I’m very familiar with it. This is difficult and it was extremely difficult here, I spoke about it openly.
“There is a huge demand here, a huge demand on me and that is a constant. That’s part of Everton life. I adapted to it. I’ve had my hits, and I’m getting them again. I’ve been through this. It depends on how you deal with it.
“The club is always bigger than me, I only see it as an administrator. I’ve handled it pretty darn well so far, I think now it’s about winning a few games and changing the narrative.”
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Dyche responds to Carragher’s criticism
Everton’s poor form was discussed on Sky Sport’s Monday Night Football this week, with Jamie Carragher highlighting their difficulties in scoring from play.
The former Liverpool defender noted that the Toffees have only scored 26 such goals since the start of last season, which is 17th in the league overall.
Dyche said: “I take responsibility for everything. I don’t have to watch TV (to get stats), we have a department here,” he said.
“Someone sent it to me and I thought Carra was very fair. We’re like a team in the 90s. Dynamics and strength in the game to score goals, but also resistance.
“We know the statistics and facts and know that they need to be corrected. It’s constant work. We’re constantly looking at the players we have and how we can use them in different roles. We’re looking at changes and how we can get better.”
Everton’s transfer plans
Dyche was also asked whether their new owners will support the club in the transfer market in January.
Everton have already been linked with Aston Villa winger Jaden Philogene, who the Toffees tried to sign in the summer before the winger decided to return to Villa Park.
The Toffees manager said the Merseyside side had suggested getting active in the transfer market, saying: “There are people who are working very hard, like me, to get it right.” If we can work in the market, we will do it.
“I know my job and my responsibilities. We haven’t won enough games and that has to change.”
