‘Complete myth’ – Sean Dyche shuts down links to Leicester job and opens up on life without a club
Sean Dyche is in no rush to return to management as he enjoys just the second summer off of his coaching career.
The former Everton boss left the Toffees in January after almost two years in charge.
6
Dyche has revealed he is in no rush to return to management as he enjoys his summerCredit: Getty
6
The former Everton boss is away from the dugout during pre-season for just the second timeCredit: GettyHis replacement David Moyes went on to guide the club to Premier League survival in the second half of the season.
Over six months on, though, Dyche remains away from the dugout but admits he is not in a hurry to make a comeback.
Since being appointed Watford manager in 2011, the 54-year-old has only had one other summer without a coaching role.
On that occasion in 2022 after his Burnley exit, he waited until the new year before accepting the job at Goodison Park.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDyche is showing similar patience this summer as he enjoys his time away from management with his family.
The extra freedom has allowed him to keep up to date with his son’s footballing career as well as pursue his other passions.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Dyche explained: “I think being away from football for a spell is not such a bad thing, especially in the summer (as) you can imagine.
“(There is) plenty going on off the scene of football, a bit of golf, a bit of relaxation, a bit of catching up with friends, family, that sort of stuff, the usual type of thing.
“Loads of invites, I’ve been to some amazing things, I went to Royal Ascot, which I’ve never done before, not a big gambler but I enjoyed the experience and got well looked after by some fantastic people there.
“Gigs, varying gigs, I saw Kasabian last weekend who I love and they’re brilliant.
6
Dyche left the Toffees in January after almost two years in chargeCredit: Getty
6
He has since spent his summer attending Oasis and Xavier concertsCredit: Getty”I saw Oasis, they were brilliant, so enjoying that side of things and not really too involved with the football, trying to take a real break from it.
“Not being involved with the Club World Cup and all that sort of stuff, just only from a distance, roughly keeping up with what the news is.”
It’s in the bloodDyche is not the only member of the family involved in football.
His son Max currently plays for League One side Northampton Town.
The 22-year-old centre-back came through the Cobblers’ academy and has made 53 first-team appearances to date.
Having a son in the game has also allowed Dyche to keep track of the goings on in the EFL during his time away from management.
‘Can’t go back down that road’ – Everton given transfer warning by Sean Dyche
Asked about following Max’s career, he said: “I’m watching him, I don’t know whether he’ll start or be subbed or involved.
“I watched him at the end of last season, that was good, because obviously I don’t get that many opportunities.
“I like some of the leagues outside the Premier League, I played in them, managed in the Championship of course as well.
“I do (keep up) through my son of course, and his role and what he’s trying to do, but no, the greater good of it, if you like, then I just needed to have a break from that.
“So I’ve not been following every transfer and every club, but you can, let’s face it, there’s that much info out there, so it’s not such a tricky thing to catch up with what’s going on.”
Northampton begin their campaign away to Wigan on Saturday before a Carabao Cup clash with Southampton in midweek.
6
Dyche has been keeping up with football by watching his son Max in actionCredit: GettyIs Sean Dyche returning to management?Dyche’s only previous gap in his managerial CV lasted nine months between leaving Burnley in April 2022 and arriving at Everton the following January.
He is still three months short of a similarly lengthy lay-off but is willing to wait before accepting another opportunity.
Despite that, he admits he misses the ‘day-to-day’ challenges of being a football manager.
Dyche added: “The bit I do miss about it is the day-to-day, working with the players, working with the staff.
“I’ve had my staff with me a long time, they’re good people as well as mates, but they’re good operators, and building that rapport with staff.
“We’ve got a good rapport amongst the staff and I think that goes into the players now, they connect themselves as well.”
During his time at Everton, Dyche was supported by long-time backroom staff Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard and Billy Mercer.
All four left the club immediately after he was dismissed as manager earlier this year.
6
Dyche has rubbished previous reports linking him with Leicester as a ‘complete myth’Credit: GettySean Dyche to LeicesterDyche’s wait for his next role follows reports at the end of last season linking him with Leicester.
The relegated outfit parted ways with Ruud van Nistelrooy ahead of their Championship return.
However, Dyche rubbished the suggestion he was ever close to taking charge of the Foxes.
He admitted: “The Leicester thing was a complete myth. Not Leicester, not their fault, the media made out I’d been interviewed, I hadn’t been, so that was just noise.
“I’m not remotely sad I won’t go back in or any of that, but I mean it just takes time sometimes and the right job and the right situation and sometimes the right timing for the job and the job that I can do and the chance to fulfil that job.”
Leicester instead went on to install former Queens Park Rangers boss Marti Cifuentes as Van Nistelrooy’s successor.
Read More on talkSPORTMeanwhile, Dyche has been entertaining talkSPORT listeners during his break from football.
Alongside friend and actor Jonny Owen, he has spent time co-hosting a show on Sunday afternoons since March.
