Sean Dyche said he received the Friedkin Group’s backing in his first meeting with Everton’s new owners but admits he must deliver an improved second half of the season to remain part of their long-term plans.
The Everton manager met the club’s new executive chairman, Marc Watts, on Friday following the completion of TFG’s takeover the previous day. Watts spent approximately 45 minutes with Dyche and addressed the entire playing squad while on a tour of the facilities at the club’s Finch Farm training ground. He will be among TFG’s representatives at Everton’s home game against Chelsea on Sunday.
Dyche claimed Everton’s new owners recognise the difficulties he has faced during almost two years in charge and support him, although profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) mean there will be no lavish spending in January. But with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, the 53-year-old admitted only victories will convince TFG to retain his services for the move to Everton’s new stadium at Bramley Moore dock in 2025-26.
“You’ve got to win games, that doesn’t change and I’m well aware of that,” said Dyche. “They mentioned that during this period of buying the club they’ve done a lot of homework and they understand the challenges that I’ve been through and we’ve collectively been through. Apart from the obvious challenge of winning games they’ve got absolutely no reason to question it [Dyche’s job]. He [Watts] said you can go and tell them that. He said, ‘We’ve got no reason to question you. Every reason to support what you’ve been doing and hopefully support it further going forwards’.”
“The obvious caveat is what I’m saying, not what they’re saying – I know you’ve still got to win games,” Dyche added. “While you’re winning games, hopefully, you continue to build a relationship. And that’s when they go, right, you’re our guy or you’re not our guy.”
TFG has immediately stabilised Everton’s financial position by paying off loans taken out during Farhad Moshiri’s tenure. The owners intend to refinance stadium debt on a long-term deal with a senior lender at more preferential rates. But, as a result of past over-spending, Everton will remain constrained by PSR when the January transfer window opens.
“Stability is the key word in the sense, not just of the business, but the stability of what we’re all trying to bring together,” Dyche admitted. “The finances can’t be in place immediately because of PSR, so it’s not as simple as that. I certainly don’t think it’s because of a lack of thirst or anything, it’s just the fact that the PSR rules are the rules. That [the takeover] hasn’t solved that side of things, there’s still a lot going on at this football club.”
The sense of a new era at Everton was reinforced on Friday when the club formally took control of their new stadium at Bramley Moore dock. A ceremonial handover took place with the contractors Laing O’Rourke, with the build phase on schedule after three and a half years. Everton will oversee a six-month fit-out phase in the new year, when there will be three test events to prepare the stadium for the start of the 2025-26 season.
Watts, who was present at the handover ceremony, said: “I feel privileged to be here today to be part of the handover of this magnificent stadium in this stunning, unrivalled location. It is an illustrious moment in the history of Everton and marks a new era for the club on many levels. The stadium will play a key role in supporting our commercial vision for the club – hosting events and activities all-year round – but first and foremost, I have no doubt that it will be a venue that every Evertonian will be proud to call home.”
Dele, meanwhile, has announced his Everton career is over as he attempts to relaunch his career with Como. The former England international has been training with Everton since his contract finished last summer in a bid to regain match fitness, but has suffered several injury setbacks in recent months. Como have offered the 28-year-old a chance to prove himself in Italy.
“He’s been through a lot and the way he has conducted himself is a good starting point for his life, not just his football life,” said Dyche. “And then to work so hard and be so unfortunate, it’s been a real challenge for him. He’s had lots of challenges, so I hope he can come through the next phase.”
