Burnley boss Sean Dyche is bookies favourite to land Sunderland job

Parting Clarets chairman John Banaszkiewicz isn’t paying any attention to the speculation linking Sean Dyche with the vacant managerial post at Sunderland.
Sean DycheSean Dyche
Sean Dyche

Dyche is the bookmakers’ favourite to become Dick Advocaat’s successor at the Stadium of Light, with his odds shortening to 6/5.

Former West Ham boss Sam Allardyce had been backed in to 2/1 as Dyche’s closest contender while PSV coach Phillip Cocu was third favourite to take over the reigns at the Black Cats at 4/1.

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Banaszkiewicz and Mike Garlick appointed Dyche at Turf Moor in October 2012 and the one-time Watford boss went on to claim three Manager of the Month awards the following term; a campaign that ended with promotion to the Premier League.

And following relegation, Banaskiewicz, who will remain at the club as a director, believes Dyche is the man to push the Clarets back to the top flight.

“I’ve a good rapour with the players and the manager,” he said. “They’ve done incredibly well this year. We have that united belief, that passion and work ethic.

“He’s been a fantastic hire on and off the pitch. He’s been a credit to the club as a manager and ambassador. He’s involved with everything.

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“He’s been the key catalyst of getting the best out of the players and getting them in to a sixth gear in the Premier League.

“It’s important that he’s obviously committed to Burnley and I think he likes challenges. The next step is a challenge for him so onwards and upwards.

“We interviewed 18 to 20 people for that role because that’s the key appointment to help move the club forward.”

Banaszkiewicz added: “He’s on holiday enjoying himself at the moment. There’s a lot of rumours flying around but we haven’t had any calls.

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“He’s set to stay at Burnley with us, he has a contract at the club and he enjoys what we’ve achieved. I think he’ll enjoy the challenge next season.

“We’ve got to keep building. We’re looking forward to it. A lot of clubs in the Premier League really like what Sean has done at Burnley and I’m sure they’ll look at that as a way to get the best out of their players. He’s not going anywhere at the moment and he’ll absolutely be with us next year.

“I’ve seen a few things about Sunderland but some of the things said in newspapers are made up and written to sell more newspapers.

“We’re not looking at that option. We like what Sean has done and we want that to continue.

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“He’s in a better place. We’re more open at Burnley. It’s a bit different at some of these bigger clubs with the boards dictating what should and shouldn’t be done.”

Meanwhile, striker Danny Ings is expected to open negotiations with Liverpool over a move to Anfield in the near future.

The 22-year-old, whose contract at the club expires at the end of the month, has reportedly rejected the offer of a new contract with the Clarets following relegation from the Premier League.

Ings, the subject of speculation linking Spurs with a £12m move for his signature last week, was offered new terms as per Premier League rule V.17.2. That rejection of the “form 30” would mean that the club is now entitled to a compensation payment from his new employers.

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If no agreement can be reached in terms of a compensation package then the fee will be set by a tribunal, the Professional Football Compensation Committee for the England Under 21 international, who netted 11 times in his first season in the top flight.