Dyche accepts management is a continual learning process

As his managerial career ticks in to its third year, Clarets boss Sean Dyche feels there’s still plenty to learn in the trade.
LOOKING FORWARD: Dyche has enjoyed his two years as a manager but is looking forward to learning more.LOOKING FORWARD: Dyche has enjoyed his two years as a manager but is looking forward to learning more.
LOOKING FORWARD: Dyche has enjoyed his two years as a manager but is looking forward to learning more.

After a spell as youth team coach at Watford, the one-time Hornets defender became Malky Mackay’s assistant at Vicarage Road in July, 2009. But two years ago today Dyche took over at the helm once his superior had opted to fill the void at Cardiff City.

On his anniversary, Dyche said: “It’s been a really interesting couple of years and I’ve finished 11th in both seasons so it’s a strange one. It’s been interesting and I’ve learnt a lot. It’s a job that you continually learn in.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Over the season I’ve spoken to a number of managers and met a couple on holiday and chatted to them and picked their brains on things. I’m still young and I’m still learning myself. You speak to the likes of Sir Alex and even he said that he’s always adding to his armory. I’m enjoying it, enjoying the challenges of it and looking forward to the new season.”

In July last year, Dyche was relieved of his duties at the Hertfordshire-based club following Giampaolo Pozzo’s takeover and a month later the new owners opted to appoint fellow Italian Gianfranco Zola as manager.

Then, following Eddie Howe’s departure, Dyche announced his arrival at Turf Moor 14 games in to the campaign with a 2-0 triumph over Wolves. Ahead of his first full season in charge with the Clarets, he said: “I came in when there was about 13 games gone last year so I had the majority of last season. There was some great work done here on and off the pitch so it’s important that we continue to build on that.

“The players will have a firmer grasp on the expectation from myself as manager and the staff of what’s appropriate for us to move forward. There’s movement in the market that we’re looking at as well so we’ll use our resources accordingly and wisely and build a squad that can compete.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite a relatively limited experience of management in the Championship, the Burnley boss has already discovered just how competitive the division is. Last term just 10 points separated Leicester City in the final play-off spot from 19th place Huddersfield Town.

“I will be amazed if any manager has any expectation after watching the Championship last year,” Dyche said. “We’ve seen how crazy it can be at times so I don’t think there’ll be any other expectation other than being competitive. That’s the main thing. Nobody will be taking this division lightly, even those that are coming down from the Premier League. It’s a tough division and it’ll be interesting to see how it pans out.”

Much of Dyche’s transfer activity during the summer will be heavily dependant on the future of striker Charlie Austin who is the subject of a potential multi-million pound move to the Premier League.

However Dyche accepts that regardless of any windfall, the club will still have to spend prudently.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’re trying to gain resources. There’s an amount that will hopefully help us but it’s well documented - certainly at the moment - that we’re not going to be throwing millions around because the club can’t do that.

“It’s about using the resources wisely, cutting our cloth accordingly but still be productive enough to get the right players in.

“It’s still quite quiet. We’ve obviously got our irons in fires but if you look across the market in the Championship, other than a few early moves, it’s been very quiet.

“Most teams will be returning next week - as we are ourselves - and that’s when the phones will start ringing a bit more regularly. Everyone will be planning for the pre-season.”