Loov move will Jack up youthful Mackems
SEAN DYCHE leads Burnley back into Europe this week after a 51-year absence but insists he is not untouchable at Turf Moor.
Loyal Clarets supporters are still pinching themselves after last season’s astonishing seventh-place finish in the Premier League.
As a result, they are on their way north of the border to face Aberdeen in a Europa League qualifier on Thursday – and Dyche is loving every minute of it.
But amid the growing euphoria is a reality check, too, as the boss acknowledges he will never be classed as ‘unsackable’ if Burnley decide one day to shake things up.
That is not to say Dyche is anticipating being handed his P45 any time soon. He just knows that no manager working in the best league in the world is safe from the bullet.
Dyche said: “My day will come. I know it will come. That is the nature of football.
“It’s very, very difficult year on year. I don’t think there’s a manager who is unsackable.
“Just think of Arsene Wenger and his 22 years of constant success. Let’s say he was PROUD Englishman Sean Dyche watched the World Cup in Russia this summer and loved what he saw. Focusing on set pieces had been
★
viewed as being from the dark ages of football but Gareth Southgate’s England brought the old-fashioned art back as they made the last four.
And Burnley boss Dyche said: “It used to be a dirty ★
word 10 years ago because everyone wanted to play like Spain. This time England have done fantastically.
“They have used set pieces to their advantage which ★
I’m pleased about because they have never gone away. Now it’s been looked at a bit more positively.
“We played a different formation and tried to pass
★
and move. A more modern style of football mixed with England being good at set pieces.
“For the first time in a long time it started to look
★ like our own DNA. I think that’s been good.
“The press have bought into it and the people have ★
bought into it too. We must not forget all the good stuff we are about.” eased out in a situation which suited the club. If he can get that treatment then my day will come. Everyone’s day will come.
“I would be very surprised if there’s anyone in a boardroom across the Premier League sitting there saying there’s no way their manager will never go, no matter what.”
It is an honest look into the future even though the present is so productive at Turf Moor, where the revolution under Dyche gathers pace with each year.
But in modern-day football there is much more ruthlessness – especially among the billionaire owners, as witnessed at Chelsea with Antonio Conte’s brutal exit.
Dyche, though, is living for the moment as he puts into perspective exactly what it means to a club like Burnley when the next big step STEVE MILLAR
is Europe. He said: “At a club like this it has to be a massive jump.
“Not many people gave us a chance last season of ending up in seventh place.
“We are well aware that at clubs like this, and many others in the Premier League, it almost goes back to the start point. To remodel again.
“I don’t think anyone was thinking that West Brom and Stoke would struggle. But they did. It was great for us last season but there’s a big challenge again.
“You are a bit wiser, a bit stronger. You have learned a bit more. We earned it and now it’s about taking on the challenge.
“The Premier League is still the driving force but as a badge of honour, to be in the Europa League has got to be recognised for a club like Burnley.
“Seventh is not the highest possible but it’s probably difficult to go beyond that in this division because the top six clubs are that powerful.
“So the challenge is trying to cement being a recognised Premier League team and we’re trying to secure that.” JACK ROSS thinks Glenn Loovens’ experience will be key as Sunderland attempt to climb back up the football ladder.
The veteran defender, 34, penned a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light on Friday as part of the Black Cats’ rebuilding job following two straight relegations.
Loovens (below) is the fourth defensive summer signing on Wearside, following deals for Alim Ozturk, 25, Tom Flanagan, 26, and Reece James, 24.
But the former Netherlands ace’s experience and leadership will give Sunderland’s new-look young squad a fresh ingredient insists ex-St Mirren boss Ross.
He said: “We have quite a young squad so we need players with experience and leadership qualities.
“Glenn has all of that in abundance, plus he’s looked after himself physically and his recent playing history is very good in the amount of games he’s played.” Former Celtic defender Loovens was a free agent after a five-year spell at Sheffield Wednesday came to an end when his contract expired in May. And Ross insists that he will be looking for Loovens to bring his Hillsborough form to The Stadium of Light.
“He was very popular at Sheffield Wednesday, people speak very highly of him and his playing pedigree obviously speaks for itself,” he said. “He’s a strong character and those qualities will be helpful for us this year.” Ross’ side face Charlton Athletic on the opening day of the new season on August 4.