Sean Dyche is now the favourite to become the next Everton manager which could reunite the coach with Michael Keane. He has overtaken Marcelo Bielsa to replace Frank Lampard.
That is according to the Mirror, which reports Everton are leaning toward naming Dyche as their next manager as concerns grow over Bielsa’s appetite for the job. The Argentine was owner Farhad Moshiri’s top manager to fill Lampard’s now vacant Goodison Park hot seat.
Everton are determined to appoint Lampard’s successor quickly and planned to speak with Dyche on Thursday. Moshiri sacked the 44-year-old this Monday with the Toffees down in 19th in the Premier League table. They have won just three games and only have 15 goals.
Dyche is eager to secure his return to management after Burnley sacked the 51-year-old in April. He stood at the Turf Moor helm for 10 years and led the Clarets to promotion out of the Championship twice. But Burnley went in another direction to try and avoid relegation.
Now, Moshiri may make Dyche the next Everton manager as he strives to name Lampard’s heir by Thursday night. He wants to hire a new head coach at Goodison with enough time left of the transfer market to try and make the changes to their side they feel are required.
Everton naming Dyche as their next manager could see Keane return to favour
Only Wolves with 12 have scored fewer goals than Everton’s 15 in the Premier League this season. The Toffees are also only above basement boys Southampton in the table on goal difference after 20 games. The Saints have hit 16 but have conceded 35 to Everton on 28.
Lampard seldom relied on Keane in a bid to try and turn the Toffees’ fortunes around. The 30-year-old has only played 22 minutes in the top-flight so far this season. He featured as a substitute at Brentford in August and has not made a matchday team since the World Cup.
But Dyche becoming the next Everton manager may let Keane return to favour. He was full of praise for everything the 12-cap England international offered Burnley before moving to Goodison. Ronald Koeman paid £25m, up to £31m, to sign Keane from the Clarets in 2017.
“The reality was that Michael was probably going to move,” he said, via talkSPORT. “It’s not about him wanting to leave, it’s just a natural progression. It’s fair to say that Everton have been in the Premier League for a very long time and they’re looking to get even stronger.
“They’re making a big investment there now and it’s a right move at the right time for him. There comes a time for some of these players when it’s probably appropriate they move on and I think on this occasion it is.
“Now I think now he’s in a really good place to go on and take his career on again – and we can only thank him for what he’s done. He’s been a fantastic servant to us, both on and off the pitch.”
Keane’s situation has Leeds and West Ham interested in a transfer in January
Keane’s lack of games under Lampard had also interested Leeds United, Southampton and West Ham United in his transfer from Everton, per talkSPORT. But despite the centre-half only serving as a substitute since August, the Toffees have been reluctant to grant a move.
West Ham explored Keane’s availability for a transfer from Everton as David Moyes is a big admirer of the defender, per Pete O’Rourke. He also noted that the £80k-a-week enforcer was open to joining the Hammers. But Dyche taking charge of Everton might change that.
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