Exclusive: Ex-Everton CEO issues ‘huge’ Sean Dyche verdict – ‘he held Aston Villa talks’

Despite the latest 10-point deduction, former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has maintained that Sean Dyche is the “right man” to attempt and steer the team away from relegation danger.

The 66-year-old disclosed that while he was CEO of Villa Park, he attempted to lure Dyche to Aston Villa. He was CEO of Goodison Park from 2004 to 2009.

Dyche succeeded Frank Lampard earlier this year and helped Everton avoid the drop on the final day of the 2022-23 campaign with a win over Bournemouth.

The ex-Burnley boss faces yet another relegation scrap this term after their historic biggest-ever 10-point deduction for breaking financial fair play rules.

Everton were going well prior to the punishment, picking up four wins and two draws from 12 games.

They now sit joint-bottom of the Premier League table and are five points adrift of 17th-place Luton Town.

Dyche’s side are next in action against Nottingham Forest on Saturday (2 December).

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness said: “If there’s a manager you want in a situation like this, it’s Sean Dyche.

“I have a huge amount of respect for him.

“I talked to him to try and get him to Aston Villa when we were in the Championship. I’ve got a very high opinion of Sean.

“Steve Bruce came in instead after Roberto Di Matteo left.

“I think Sean is the right man for Everton. But with injuries and other situations that emerge as the season unfolds, who knows?

“The games lost at the start of the season, particularly against Luton, could come back to haunt Everton in a big way.

“We’ve really got to be careful now and move forward.

“I’m also worried that the length of the appeal process will not only change the mindset for Everton but also for the opponents.

Teams’ mindsets and strategies are severely impacted if the appeal drags out until the end of the season and nobody knows if an additional five points will be added.

Because clubs will arrange themselves differently in an attempt to get the desired result, it compromises the league’s integrity.

“The Premier League has put themselves in a really concerning situation.”

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