Sean Dyche Could Be Perfect Manager For Everton In Midst Of Identity Crisis

Marcelo Bielsa had a plan, but Everton needed something different. According to reports, the Argentine wanted to take over the Toffees’ Under-21s team until the end of the season when he would move into the job of senior team manager. Everton, however, can’t wait until the summer to find a new manager. They need saving right now.

Everton’s position is perilous. They are without a win in their last eight PremierPINC
League matches and are second-bottom of the table – above bottom-placed Southampton only on goal difference. Bielsa had been their first-choice to take over following the dismissal of Frank Lampard, but his plan for the job was unworkable.

Now, Sean Dyche is expected to take over at Goodison Park and there’s good reason to believe the 51-year-old will be exactly what Everton need. Dyche is renowned for his ability to set up a compact, conservative team. Under the former Burnley boss, the Toffees will play a more direct game.

This might not be what some fans want to hear, but Dyche is as good a fit for Everton’s current squad as any other manager out there. He might even be a good fit for the identity of the Goodison Park club as a whole – most Everton fans just want their team to give full commitment on the pitch.

At Burnley, Dyche used wingers to provide an outlet and service into an attacking focal point who could attack crosses and hold up the ball to bring others into the game. The midfield was also deployed to win second balls and ensure a level of protection in front of a physical and naturally aggressive defensive line.

Dyche will have wide men to work with as Everton manager in the form of Dwight McNeil (who he used to coach at Burnley) and Demarai Gray. He will also have an attacking focal point in the shape of Dominic Calvert-Lewin who has earned a reputation for himself as one of the best headers of the ball in the Premier League.

Everton’s midfield unit might be lacking somewhat in creativity, but the trio of Andre Onana, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Alex Iwobi will give Dyche a lot to mould. This is arguably the strongest area of the team Dyche will inherit from his predecessor – Iwobi in particular has performed well this season.

James Tarkowski is another Everton player who has worked under Dyche before and he could become a defensive leader for the Toffees under new management. Conor Coady is another defender who has the leadership qualities needed to pull Everton away from trouble at the foot of the Premier League table.

In terms of their managerial profile, Bielsa and Dyche could hardly be more different to one another. However, Everton might have ended up with the right man for the job by accident. By giving the team on the pitch a clear identity, Dyche could help give Everton an identity off the pitch as well.