DYche Is AFTeR A bIG deAL
SEAN DYCHE is in talks over a new contract at Burnley as a summer of Premier League managerial changes looms.
And in most of them it is the gravelvoiced Turf Moor boss who gets an honourable mention in the respective boardrooms.
It is an open secret that Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish is an admirer of the division’s longestserving boss, who is now well into his ninth year of working miracles.
If Steve Bruce was to abandon ship at Newcastle United, then owner Mike Ashley would not be slow to register an interest in someone universally regarded as the main reason Burnley can look forward to a sixth consecutive season among the elite.
Everton and Aston Villa have also noted his work, while Derby County were considering an ambitious move for the 49-year-old before installing Wayne Rooney.
There will never be a shortage of offers for a man idolised by the Lancashire club’s fans and who has a pub near the ground – The Royal Dyche – named after him.
New owner Alan Pace (inset, below) is desperate that it is not last orders for his talismanic boss, who has just 12 months left on his contract.
That is why sorting out a new one – his current one is worth £70,000 a week – is a priority.
And while Pace and his American consortium are at it, they would do well to secure funds for a summer transfer cash splash.
Dyche is not asking for a massive overhaul of a cohesive squad, but he would like two or three influential signings to add some gravitas to next season’s campaign.
He and the board also have a big decision to be made over central defender James Tarkowski (inset, above), the subject of interest last summer from West Ham and Leicester.
The England player’s contract has just 12 months to run and he has so far refused to sign a new one, leaving the partnership with Ben Mee – the envy of much of the Premier League – in danger of being broken up.
England keeper Nick Pope has admirers along with winger Dwight McNeil, but there is confidence within Turf Moor that they will still be at the club next season.
The same cannot be said regarding the manager – not until he puts pen to paper on what will be an improved, lengthy contract.