Dec 21,2024
Everton manager Sean Dyche has received the backing of the club's new owners and does not feel he has to prove himself to them as he enters the final six months of his contract.
The Friedkin Group completed their takeover on Thursday, bringing to an end the long-running saga of Farhad Moshiri's attempts to sell up after a disastrous eight years in charge.
But Dyche said a change at the top made little difference to his position in terms of his long-term future or even in the short term of the January transfer window.
"Proving yourself as a manager is ongoing. It is a weekly or bi-weekly event," said Dyche, who has had his first meeting with new executive chairman Marc Watts ahead of Sunday's visit of Chelsea.
"Every game will be another opinion, good, bad or indifferent, so it's no different to me.
"The bigger picture is what I've been interested in, there has been a lot to manage and a lot to do and there still is.
"I'm not worried about my situation, it's more about trying my best to keep correcting the ongoing situation.
"(Watts) made it clear, other than the obvious challenge of all managers of winning games, they are fully supportive of me, the staff and the team going forwards.
"From the chat today it is more like a business approach, it will be hands-off and 'You guys are there for a reason, we value you, we trust you and we want to support you' but not in a way, by his words, ringing every day saying 'what about this, what about that?'.
"Despite the ins and outs of every weekly result I know the job I've done so far, but it is a 'so far' story.
"There is no magic wand but it would be nice to think all the work has been for good reason - not just by myself by the way."
Although a large portion of Everton's debts have been cleared, and the loans for the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock renegotiated on better terms, there will be no huge pot of money for squad reinforcement when the window opens next month.
"There are ongoing challenges to correct things moving forward for the bigger future. January will be dominated by PSR (profitability and sustainability rules) from the years gone by," Dyche added.
"At the moment, it's not going to be a load of money to spend. Well, it can't be because of the rules. It's not about having money or not having money, it's about the rules and the way it lies."
Meanwhile forward Dele Alli hopes the new year will present "some exciting opportunities" after finally cutting ties with Everton.
The 28-year-old, whose contract expired in the summer, has not played a competitive match since a loan spell at Besiktas in March 2023 having been beset by injury problems.
He remained with the Toffees beyond the expiry of his contract in an attempt to improve his fitness but has decided to move on.
"As widely published this week, 2025 may set me on a new path with some exciting opportunities," Alli, who at the weekend was pictured watching Italian side Como where manager Cesc Fabregas has reportedly offered him the chance to train, wrote on Instagram.
"Before any of that happens it's very important for me to make clear how grateful I am of all the fans, staff and players at Everton FC for the support they have given me.
"It's been an incredibly tough journey trying to put the final pieces together to regain match fitness and I cannot thank the Everton staff enough for the hard work they have put into this process.
"Unfortunately things haven't worked out as we all would have hoped and I think it's the right time for me to turn a new page.
"I want to wish everyone at this amazing club the very best of luck and hopefully we will see each other again soon."
