Dyche ditched as Burnley eye the Leeds way
West Ham v Burnley Today, Kick-off 2pm
BURNLEY owner Alan Pace sacked Sean Dyche after deciding the team needs a “cultural reset”.
Despite almost a decade of punching above their weight under Dyche, Pace believed the Clarets could not go in the direction he wanted under the popular manager.
The former president of MLS side Real Salt Lake and managing partner of American investment firm ALK Capital bought control of Burnley in December 2020.
And it is understood Dyche knew from early on his days were numbered under the American who had a different vision of the future at Turf Moor.
Pace has been impressed with the work done by new Leeds boss Jesse Marsch at Elland Road – and believed the playing model operated by Dyche in the Premier League needed to change.
He told close allies Burnley need a more progressive playing style and a move away from simply trying to survive as a Premier League club each season.
But the 53-year-old
American has taken a huge gamble – and faces a fierce backlash from fans who are angry at Dyche’s dismissal at such a critical stage of the season.
Caretaker boss Mike Jackson has called on the club’s supporters to get behind their struggling team – despite the furious backlash against the axing of Dyche.
Jackson said: “I’m sure the fans will be hurting as well but they’ve been in these situations before and I’m sure they will pull together.
“They know their football, they’re good people and I’m sure they will pull behind the club.”
Jackson will start his managerial career against West Ham boss David Moyes, who was his gaffer at Preston at the end of the last century!
Jackson said: “It will be a little bit strange, David will probably still be shouting at me from the sideline, ‘squeeze up!’ like he did in the games.
“But you don’t get to a thousand games like he’s done unless you’re good at what you do.
“And he keeps proving how good he is.”