Why Sean Dyche's management style suits Everton role | 1 News Day, breaking news, sport, business, politics, Science & Health

Sean Dyche has been appointed as Everton’s manager – but what can supporters expect from his side ahead of his first game in charge against Arsenal this weekend…

Frank Lampard was sacked last Monday after a run of nine defeats in 12 Premier League matches and Dyche has taken over after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract at Goodison Park.

Former Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa was in the running to become Everton’s eighth permanent manager in just under seven years but, following extended negotiations, it became apparent the Argentinian’s proposals did not match those of the club’s.

The Everton hierarchy felt Dyche could hit the ground running, already knowing several players well, including former Burnley duo Michael Keane and James Tarkowski, and it is thought the stability those relationships would bring was a deciding factor.

Everton confirm Dyche as new manager

Everton sit 19th in the division and look set to be batting against relegation come May for a second successive season. Hence, Dyche’s track record of securing top-flight status with limited, or pre-existing resources, appears to be a sensible plan.

Transfer Centre: Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Spurs latest
Papers: Chelsea could make last-ditch Caicedo bid
Arsenal transfer rumours: Gunners considering late Jorginho move
£495m spent on 17 new players – but what is Chelsea’s best XI?
Why are Chelsea so desperate to sign Enzo Fernandez?
Arsenal’s world-record bid for Man Utd’s Russo rejected
Chelsea close to agreeing Fernandez deal as Blues make £105.6m bid
FA Cup fifth-round draw: Wrexham could host Spurs, Man City go to Bristol City
Man Utd transfer rumours: Inter Milan make shock Maguire enquiry
Man City full-back Cancelo set for shock Bayern loan

Video
Latest News

Dyche took charge at Turf Moor in 2012 and lifted the Clarets from mid-table in the Championship to securing Premier League status in his first full season at the helm.

Datawrapper Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this. Open Privacy Options

He proceeded to sustain top-flight status in five of the following seven campaigns on a limited budget with a reserved style of play, focused heavily on winning aerials, launching long passes, intense running, carving attempts at goal from set-pieces and crosses, and keeping clean sheets.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp feels for Frank Lampard after his sacking at Everton but admits it is part of the business

This was primarily achieved with a traditional 4-4-2 formation, with the two forwards helping to regain possession up top and in the middle third.

Speaking on Monday Night Football in October, Dyche said: “What I’ve learned down the years is: why fight the box you’re put in?

“A 4-4-2, pretty direct, defensive football. On the positive side, hard-working, strong team ethic, strong feel, good coach.

“I don’t mind it being that. Whatever job I get, if I get one, I want the fans to know they’ve got a team that is going to give everything, that they’ve got a team that is going to work, the team is going to have a heart.

“That won’t change – definitely not. What I do is look at the technical understanding of the team, the tactical understanding of the team, what their background is, where they’ve been and what has been their influences.

“You have to piece that together and start moulding that into a team. That’s how I personally view how football should work within a team. If you get that right, the rest will work out for itself.”

Indeed, former club captain Ashley Westwood told Sky Sports in 2021: “We’ve always [run a lot] – that’s the main thing here. We always have to outwork teams. If you don’t, you don’t usually win the game.

“We’ve always pressed teams high up. The front two do it and do a brilliant job… More teams are trying to play out from the back now and it gives us a chance to press them high.”

The style was unique and effective for five successive campaigns, which included a seventh-placed finish in 2017/18.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Anthony Gordon turns up at Everton’s training ground after a three-day absence during Sky Sports News reporter Vinny O’Connor’s live report

The graphic below reveals the stark contrast of Burnley’s style under Dyche compared with other ever-present Premier League sides during a six-season timeframe – with the Clarets recording league-low figures across a raft of possession-based and attacking metrics.

Datawrapper Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this. Open Privacy Options

Given Everton’s current predicament, Dyche will certainly have a squad of players capable of pressing and defending resolutely, while he will be looking to improve accuracy in front of goal and capitalise on limited, but clearer opportunities, by utilising aerial abilities within the ranks.