Benitez backs Dyche for Lions over top-six job
Rafa Benitez reckons Sean Dyche is capable of managing a big club – but landing the England job would be easier.
Burnley boss Dyche is heavily backed to take charge of Everton after Ronald Koeman’s sacking
But Newcastle counterpart Benitez insists a prestige Premier League position – like the one at Goodison Park – is a tougher aim for Englishmen than Gareth Southgate’s role as Three Lions boss.
Benitez, who faces Dyche for the first time when Toon visit Turf Moor tomorrow night, said: “Being England manager is a difficult job – but you have a better chance of getting it if you are English.
“The top six is different, because you have foreign owners spending a lot of money and they want the best. That doesn’t mean it has to be an Englishman – it has to be the best.
“With England, you all want an English manager. You have four or five options and it’s easier than getting a job in the top six.
“It’s not for me to say Sean deserves a top-six job, but he is doing a great job where he is. Sean has been at Burnley for five years and that means you can sign the players you want, play the way you want and it’s easier like that.
“The good thing about managers who have been with the same club for a long time is, if they are doing well, they can get better.”
Benitez admits he cannot guarantee crowd favourite Aleksandar Mitrovic will make his match-day squad. The Serbia striker has started only one Newcastle game this season – the 3-2 Carabao Cup home defeat by Nottingham Forest.
Mitrovic scored in that game and in the 3-0 home win over West Ham, but has been behind Joselu and Dwight Gayle in the Magpies’ pecking order.
Benitez said: “We had Dwight doing well last season and scoring a lot of goals and this season, Joselu is doing well.
“Mitrovic came on against Crystal Palace last weekend, but Dwight is coming back from injury, so he will be available.
“It depends on how many strikers you want on the bench or if you play with one or two strikers. Mitrovic and Dwight are training well, so we have to decide.’’