Everton boss has ‘no idea’ if owners have spoken to other managers after reported Potter talks

Sean Dyche says he has no idea if Everton’s new owners have spoken to other candidates about succeeding him.

Recent reports suggest the Toffees’ new owners the Friedkin Group have been reviewing the position of Dyche after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth left them just a point above the relegation zone.

The Toffees had already been sounding out replacements for the 53-year-old, with suggestions that former Chelsea boss Graham Potter had held talks with both the Merseyside club and West Ham.

Facing the media ahead of Thursday’s FA Cup third round tie with Peterborough, Dyche insists he accepts that the owners will have a succession plan in place.

He said: “It should be [at a club that you are looking to the future]. If you’re a business of this size club a succession plan should be part of their diligence.

“I’ve got no problem with that at all, that should be ongoing at every football club. That’s part of the business.

“I never concern myself with that. You’ve got to win games, we haven’t won enough this season. You’ve got to please everyone all the time, that’s the job and that’s down to me without any shadow of a doubt.

“We’ve had positive conversations, they know the work we’ve done, and they want better outcomes from winning games. There’s a reality to the situation, that’s all I know, they’ve been very straight with me and very upfront about it.

“Whether they have spoken to other managers or they haven’t they certainly haven’t told me that. I don’t know how it works in the privacy world of it all but if they have it’s succession planning.

“It’s a business as well, I understand that totally, whoever it was, that should be part of the way every business operates.”

Dyche: I’m just a custodian at Everton

Everton’s poor form has reportedly sprung their owners to reconsider Dyche’s future after initially wanting to keep him on board to steady the ship until the summer.

He added: “We are still putting a lot in. I’m putting a lot of effort in trying different ways, trying to look at all the different parameters.

“That’s part of being a manager, I’m well versed in it. That’s difficult and here has been extremely difficult, I’ve spoken openly about that.

“There’s a huge demand here, a huge demand on me and it’s a constant. That is part of Everton life. I’ve adapted to it. I’ve had my knocks, and I’m getting them again. I’ve been through that. It’s about how you handle that.

“The club is always bigger than me, I see it as I’m just a custodian. So far I’ve handled it pretty bloody well I think now it’s about going and trying to win some games and change the narrative.”

A round-up of the latest team news ahead of Thursday’s FA Cup clash against Peterborough United. 👇

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Dyche responds to Carragher criticism

Everton’s poor form was discussed on Sky Sport’s Monday Night Football this week, with Jamie Carragher highlighting their struggles in scoring from open play.

The former Liverpool defender noted that the Toffees have scored just 26 such goals since the start of last season, which is 17th overall in the league.

Dyche said: “I take accountability for everything. I don’t need to watch the TV [to get statistics], we have a department here,” he said.

“Someone sent it to me and I thought Carra was very fair. We are like a team in the 90s. Dynamic and force in the play to score goals but also the resistance.

“We know the stats and facts, we know they need correcting. It’s a constant work in progress. We endlessly look at the players we have got and how we can use them in different roles. We are looking at changes and how we can get better.”

Everton’s transfer plans

Dyche was also asked about 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 opted to return to Villa Park.

The Toffees manager said the Merseyside suggested they would be active in the transfer market, saying: “There are people working very hard, like I am, to make it right. If we can work in the market, we will.

“I know my job and responsibility. We haven’t won enough games and it has to change.”