Dyche sets record straight on Everton stint and Moyes handover

“No Resentment”: Sean Dyche on Everton, Moyes, and Moving Forward

When Sean Dyche sat down with Johnny Owen on talkSPORT, the tone was reflective but unflinching. His time at Everton, though marred by external chaos and internal struggles, remains something he looks back on with pride. Dyche didn’t sugar-coat the challenges. But he also didn’t hide from them.

Dyche’s Take on Everton: “It was miles away from where I thought it was”

Sean Dyche pulled no punches in describing the state of Everton when he arrived. “I went in there with an idea of thinking it was this and it wasn’t—it was miles away from where I thought it was.” He stressed this wasn’t just about performances on the pitch, but about deeper structural issues within the club.

“There was a lot needed doing,” he explained. “Not just me, by the way… my staff, Kev Thell, worked very hard with the powers that be at the club as well.” Dyche was clear in defending Frank Lampard, his predecessor, emphasising that “Frank was trying to do everything he could to get that team to win,” but much of what needed fixing wasn’t visible to fans.

Moyes, the Successor: “He gave me a shout out about it”

When the subject turned to David Moyes taking over, Dyche was unequivocal in his support. “I left it in good shape… Moyes has taken over and he knows it and he gave me a shout out about it.”

There was zero bitterness in Dyche’s voice. In fact, he sounded genuinely pleased about Everton’s recent form. “I’m delighted they’re going well… there’s not a single bone in my body of any resentment, any anger.” And as for Moyes himself, Dyche was full of praise: “I admire him a lot, I think he’s a fantastic manager and a good bloke as well.”

The Weight of the Shirt: “For the players, it got too much”

Dyche acknowledged the psychological toll managing Everton had on some. “The weight of a club sometimes gets too much and I think for the players, it got too much.” He admitted he was “okay with it” personally, but recognised when it was time to step away.

He explained his decision to have a conversation with Everton Director of Football Kevin Thelwell: “I said, ‘listen, this is what I’m seeing, this is what I’m thinking,’ because I insisted that it was in a better shape when I left it.”

It wasn’t a quiet or easy exit. “I got battered for that as well,” he said. But in classic Dyche fashion, he stood by his view and the work he and his staff had done.

Dyche’s Highlight: “Duke scoring in the last game of the season”

Interestingly, Dyche didn’t choose the famous 2-0 Merseyside derby win over Liverpool as his best moment. That, he said, “was for the fans.” Instead, he picked a tenser, less glamorous day: the final match of the season, where Abdoulaye Doucouré scored the goal that ensured Everton’s Premier League survival.

“That week was a horrible, horrible situation,” Dyche recalled. “We had injuries, had to change the system, the coaches were fantastic, the fans were great, the calmness in the stadium… it was just so, so difficult.” When Doucouré “smashed it through the back of the net nearly,” Dyche remembered the moment vividly. “I’ve never heard a noise like it.”

Conclusion

Sean Dyche’s talkSPORT appearance was a raw, honest, and at times even humorous look back at his time at Everton. He spoke candidly about what went wrong, what he tried to fix, and why he believes he left the club in better condition. He praised Moyes’ appointment and brushed aside any suggestion of ill feeling.

As for his legacy? “If they knew the depth of what we did—not just me—the players included, and all the challenges we went through… I’d be surprised if there’s many [who] went, ‘we didn’t do at least a half-decent job.’ I think we did a very good job.”

In the ever-messy, emotionally charged world of football, Dyche remains unshakeably grounded.

Topics

Jake O’Brien’s last-gasp equaliser extends David Moyes’ unbeaten Everton run to nine games

Jake O’Brien’s 91st-minute equaliser saw David Moyes extend his, and Everton’s, unbeaten run to nine games with a 1-1 draw against his former club.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15
Everton 1-1 West Ham: Toffees take point in stoppage time

Jake O'Brien's stoppage-time goal gave David Moyes a draw against his former club in Everton's 1-1 home split with West Ham at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15
'I had a great time' - Moyes on West Ham tenure

Everton manager David Moyes says it will be "difficult" to go up against some of the players he has "close bonds" with when he faces former club West Ham. On Friday, the Scot was announced as ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
Everton 'don't want to look down' in WSL table

Everton want to make sure they "don't have to look down" in the table by picking up a victory over bottom club Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Everton Want To Sign 25-Year-Old Israel Player: Will The Move Go Through?

Everton might be looking into the upcoming transfer window as a time to strengthen their attack and attacking midfield. They are currently 14th in the Premier League points table with 34 points in ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16
Wolves 1-1 Everton: Munetsi cancels Harrison opener to share Premier League spoils – live

The Toffees stretched their unbeaten run under David Moyes with a solid point at Molineux. Wolves’ rendition of Hi Ho Silver Lining is always an enjoyably loud one. We’re pretty much ready to go ...
The Guardian - Mar. 8
Arsenal move second with commanding 3-1 win over Everton

Arsenal bounced back from their FA Cup quarter-final exit with a composed 3-1 victory over Everton at Walton Hall Park, moving into second place in the Women’s Super League.Alessia Russo scored ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15
🚨 WSL: Liverpool stun rivals Man Utd; Arsenal win at Everton

There were two high-anticipated WSL matches Friday evening to get the weekend underway, as Everton hosted Arsenal and Liverpool took on rivals Manchester United. Here is what went down in the two ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
'Robertson to have summer Liverpool talks' - gossip

Scotland left-back Andy Robertson will reportedly have crunch talks with Liverpool this summer as Everton manager David Moyes is said to be pushing to appoint David Weir.
Yahoo Sports - 3d