Burnley manager Sean Dyche ‘flattered’ by Everton links

Sean Dyche offered no guarantees he will remain Burnley manager for the long term as he admitted he is flattered by links to Everton.

The 46-year-old is a frontrunner for the vacant job at Goodison Park after Ronald Koeman was sacked on Monday but claimed there had been no contact with ‘any’ club.

Dyche did, however, reveal he will eventually look elsewhere. 

‘Somewhere down the line of course I am ambitious enough to wonder what is out there,’ he said.

‘You’re flattered by the fact some of your work is recognised. There are people in the game who say “you are doing OK, stay where you are”. The grass is not always greener.

‘Everything sorts itself out down the line if you keep working hard and keep being successful.

‘It’s right that I get asked about it. These are other people’s stories, not mine. Yet again, another good club, I’m respectful of all clubs in all situations. But I’m equally respectful of my situation now.’ 

Dyche has enjoyed five successful years at Burnley – earning two Premier League promotions

Dyche, who spent time filibustering about adverbs used to describe his level of ambition, celebrates five years in charge at Turf Moor on Monday.

Burnley are so intent on keeping their manager that any suitor would need to part with a hefty £2.5million compensation fee. But Dyche insisted the sack could loom if results start slipping.

‘It’s impossible to be in a comfort zone,’ he added. ‘Even now people say “you can be here for as long as you want”. That’s not the case at all because people here will change their opinion very quickly.

‘People can have enough of you, they get bored with your rhetoric, they get bored with results. You go for different reasons. Or nothing happens and one day you think “I’ve had enough”. I’ve seen managers do that.

‘People (can) have faith in you over a long period, people have faith in you they extend that period. But there still will come a time when people say “I want them out”.’

Everton are on the search for a new manager since parting company with Ronald Koeman

Former Toffees defender David Unsworth has taken caretaker charge at the Merseyside outfit

Burnley’s start to this season has been encouraging after a string of impressive performances away from home.

That has come after the sales of Michael Keane and Andre Gray, which brought in around £35m.

‘We consistently find the business side of the club a real balance,’ Dyche said. ‘This year we are currently plus £5-6m up on playing trading in the last window, which is an achievement in itself.

‘It’s very difficult to continue doing that but that is how the club is run and that is what we do.’