After nearly a decade in charge of Burnley, with many ups and downs but a very positive reign as manager, it came as a shock that the club have decided to part ways with Sean Dyche.
Burnley currently find themselves fighting to avoid relegation as they sit 18th in the Premier League table – four points away from Everton, who sit just outside the relegation zone in 17th.
Considering where the club find themselves and everything Dyche has given them during his nine-and-a half years in charge, this news has shocked the football world. It’s got all supporters, especially Burnley fans, asking a lot of questions the main one being ‘Why now!?’.
Despite Burnley’s stats in the current season being far from convincing – sitting last in nearly every possession stat in the league, passes, touches or shots on target – the fans have still stuck by Dyche, showing how much trust they have in the manager to turn things around and keep the club in the top flight.
Sean Dyche: Burnley legend
Dyche will always go down as a Burnley legend for everything he has given the club. This includes an unforgettable seventh-place finish in the 2017-18 campaign which earned Burnley their first-ever taste of European football, when the club entered the second qualifying round of the Europa League, but also many successful relegation battles.
The 50-year-old first arrived at the club in 2012 when Burnley found themselves struggling in the Championship, but everything changed when Dyche took over from Eddie Howe and started breaking long-standing club records which still stand to this day. These accolades helped him also earn Championship manager of the month for September 2013, in the same year he achieved his first promotion with the side.
During Dyche’s nine seasons in charge of Burnley he managed to achieve promotion twice from the Championship to the Premier League. And during his six-and-a-half seasons in the Premier League, he has managed to avoid relegation almost every time, staying up five times – only failing to do so once during 2014-15.
What now for Burnley?
The club’s board have justified this action as a blind decision, in an attempt to bring a new manager in to give the club the best possible chance of avoiding relegation. However, as there are only seven games remaining, changing the entire management at such a crucial time in the season hasn’t gone down too well with the fans.
In their remaining fixtures Burnley have a mixed run-in to try to pick up some points and climb their way out of relegation. The post-Dyche era began with a 1-1 draw at West Ham on Sunday, but next is Southampton at home on Thursday but their upcoming schedule also includes the prospect of facing Tottenham on May 15. They better hope whoever takes over can have an immediate impact to aid them in their battle.
In the meantime, Burnley’s Under-23s coach Mike Jackson will be assisted by academy director Paul Jenkins, U23s goalkeeping coach Connor King and club captain Ben Mee.
Everyone connected with the club will hope that quartet can build upon Sunday’s draw at West Ham as they look to achieve the great escape.
By Carlos Almeida Moura
