BURNLEY SACK SEAN DYCHE
Burnley Football Club has sacked longtime manager Sean Dyche, the club announced on Friday.
“Burnley Football Club can confirm the club has parted company with manager Sean Dyche, assistant manager Ian Woan, first-team coach Steve Stone and goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer,” the club statement read.
“Dyche was the longest-serving manager in the Premier League, having been in charge of the Clarets for nine-and-a-half years, overseeing a period which will go down as one of the most successful in the Club’s history. During this time, the team was promoted twice from the Championship, achieved two top-half Premier League finishes, and qualified for Europe for the first time in 51 years.”
The decision to sack Dyche came as a shock to many in the football world as the 50-year-old has been nothing short of miraculous in his stay with the Lancashire club. Dyche has kept the small-town team in the Premier League since the 2015/16 season.
The two-time Premier League Manager of the Month winner was appointed manager in October 2012 and guided the team back to the Premier League in his first full season in charge in 2013/14, despite working with a small squad and a tight budget. The team was relegated after one season but won the Championship title on their return in 2015, ending the season with a run of 23 league games undefeated and achieving immediate promotion. Since then, the club has not been relegated despite the club’s budget limitations – one of the smallest in the Premier League.
Burnley chairman, Alan Pace, said, “Firstly, we would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Sean and his staff for their achievements at the Club over the last decade. During his time at Turf Moor, Sean has been a credit both on and off the pitch, respected by players, staff, supporters, and the wider football community.”
“However, results this season have been disappointing and, while this was an incredibly difficult decision, with eight crucial games of the campaign remaining, we feel a change is needed to give the squad the best possible chance of retaining its Premier League status.”
“Under-23s coach Mike Jackson, assisted by Academy Director Paul Jenkins, Under-23s goalkeeping coach Connor King and Club Captain Ben Mee have been asked to take charge of the team for Sunday’s game with West Ham United.”
“The process of replacing Sean has begun and further announcements will be made to supporters in due course.”
Only Dyche’s second dismissal, the Kettering-born manager was first let go by Watford at the end of the 2011/12 season after a change of ownership at the club. Burnley recently changed ownership after American Investment Company ALK Capital acquired an 84% stake in the club for £170million, the first time the club has not been run by local businessmen and Burnley supporters. The decision to part ways with Sean Dyche came following Burnley’s 2-0 loss, away at fellow relegation rivals Norwich on Sunday. The team currently sits 18th on the table after 30 games played with 24 points, 4 points behind Everton who beat Manchester United 1-0 on Saturday last week.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero