Sean Dyche has promised to get Everton’s players putting sweat on their shirts after accepting the ‘honour’ of becoming the club’s new manager.
Dyche will take charge of his first training session on Monday afternoon, having spent the weekend getting familiar with the club’s Finch Farm training base.
The former Burnley boss will be joined by his coaching team from Turf Moor, which includes Ian Woan, Steve Stone and Mark Howard.
Sean Dyche has been appointed Everton’s new manager, replacing axed boss Frank Lampard
The 51-year-old manager is set to take charge of his first training session on Monday afternoon
He has signed a deal that runs to June 2025 and recognises that he has joined Everton in a difficult moment, with the club in the relegation zone and in a horrendous run of form that has seen them win just once in their last 14 matches.
But in an interview on the club’s official website, Dyche spoke with an enthusiasm that will have struck a chord with Everton’s supporters and vowed to give them a team of which they can be proud. He knows the hard work starts now.
His first game will be at Goodison Park this weekend against league leaders Arsenal and Dyche said: ‘It’s an honour to become Everton manager. My staff and I are ready and eager to help get this great club back on track.
Dyche said: ‘I know about Everton’s passionate fanbase and how precious this club is to them’
Lampard was sacked as Toffees manager in the wake of Everton’s 2-0 defeat against West Ham
‘I know about Everton’s passionate fanbase and how precious this club is to them. We’re ready to work and ready to give them what they want. That starts with sweat on the shirt, effort and getting back to some of the basic principles of what Everton Football Club has stood for for a long time.
‘We want to bring back a good feeling. We need the fans, we need unity and we need everyone aligned. That starts with us as staff and players.
‘Our aim is to put out a team that works, that fights and wears the badge with pride. The connection with the fans can then grow very quickly because they’re so passionate.
The former Burnley boss speaks with Kevin Thelwell (left) at Finch Farm after his appointment
Everton are currently stuck in the Premier League’s relegation zone, two points adrift of safety
‘There is quality in this squad. But we have to make them shine. That’s the job of me and my staff.
‘We want to change the shape of this club going forward, remodel it in our style, but in a way that we can win.
‘That’s the task in front of us – make sure we’re building, tactically and technically, giving players organisation, allow them the freedom to play, to go and enjoy their football because it’s brilliant when the team’s playing with a smile, but we’ve got to win.’
Everton turned to Dyche, who was immediately available having been out of work since leaving Burnley last April, after an ambitious move from owner Farhad Moshiri for Marcelo Bielsa failed to materialise.
Dyche spent a decade at Burnley until 2022 – and has been a free agent until joining Everton
Dyche has taken over the role after the Toffees missed out on their No 1 target Marcelo Bielsa
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright said: ‘Kevin and I spent some valuable time with Sean over the past few days and he quickly convinced me that he has exactly the right attributes to make himself a great Everton manager – and a man who could inspire our fanbase. And Farhad felt the same when he met him, too.’
Bielsa was initially the preferred candidate to take the vacancy – Sportsmail revealed last week that the Argentine flew into London for talks with the club.
These discussions with the Argentine were described as positive, but the club felt a quick appointment was necessary and turned to Dyche.
Despite Bielsa’s arrival in the country, there was an acknowledgement from Everton that persuading the ex-Leeds boss would prove tough.
Davide Ancelotti (R) was also discussed as an alternative before Everton have opted for Dyche
Bielsa held reservations over whether the current squad could adapt to his high-energy style.
Sportsmail revealed last Thursday that Davide Ancelotti – son of former manager Carlo – had also been discussed as an alternative.
Carlos Corberan and Sam Allardyce were also of interest to Everton – but Dyche has won the race to lead Everton.
There is hope the appointment of Dyche – who will be reunited with his former Burnley stars James Tarkowski, Dwight McNeil and Michael Keane at Goodison Park – can turn their season around, with the club only two points from safety despite their struggles.
They return to action on Saturday lunchtime when they take host Premier League leaders Arsenal, before a Merseyside derby against Liverpool the following gameweek.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
