Up to Sean Dyche how long he stays - new Burnley chairman Alan Pace

Dyche is the longest-serving manager in the Premier League, having taken the reins at the club at the end of October 2012.

He signed a new long-term deal three years ago, which runs until the summer of 2022, but it had looked increasingly unlikely he would stay beyond that date, as his relationship with outgoing chairman Mike Garlick deteriorated.

But Pace considers Dyche the crown jewel of the club, and, asked whether the manager can stay for as long as he wants, Pace said: “Absolutely. Sean is one of the things that led us to want to do this.

”It’s really important for people to realise that, and hopefully I have expressed that to him directly.

“Longevity and consistency and the good fortune of having someone who is a strong and capable leader like he is, is a blessing for us.

“Leaders do one thing - they help us do things we didn’t think we could do.

”They bring us and raise us above ourselves.

“He’s been able to do that consistently, and that consistency tells me a lot.

“It’s not just being a magician, that’s not it, a magician does it once in a while. There’s consistency here that we really, really like.”

However, while Dyche’s contract will be on the ‘to do’ list, there are more pressing matters at hand, such as backing the manager in the January transfer window.

Pace explained: “I don’t know that it’s a matter of urgency. It’s up to Sean whether he feels that way.

”But I want to be as clear as possible – Sean is so important to the success of this club and what we are trying to do.

”I would love him to be here for as long as he wants to stay.

”That’s his decision, his choice. He will come a time when we do have to address his contract, but that will be driven by him as much as by us.

”But it’s not an urgent matter – the urgent matter is this window right now.“

While Burnley look to add to their squad, Pace will leave what business needs doing to his manager, and try and deliver what he wants: “We’re spending time this week having those discussions, but what his requirement are for new players I leave to him and his staff.

”And we will give them the support he is due. I’m not being evasive – I don’t know if that means one player, two, five, six.

”It really depends on what is available and what Sean feels he can work with.

”It’s super important. It’s his team. But if he thinks someone he has identified would work – just call.

”I would hope there is an opportunity here to do some business and not just continue on.

“Because I agree with Sean that the team is a really good one.

”But they could use some extra support to make sure they can get some rest, or if someone gets injured they have the resources available to carry on.

“You see when they have a fully healthy team what they are capable of doing.”

And is there the financial flexibility to bring players in?: “Yes, there is.”

Burnley have been in a position for some time now, where, any players who have been sold, have been in the club’s best interests.

That remains the case, but Pace is pragmatic on trying to prevent key players departing, with James Tarkowski openly admitting he would like to further his career elsewhere: “That’s a tough one because I’m not so sure anyone can resist the pressures of large-market clubs that can spend much more freely than others, and the realities of the world we live in take effect.

“If someone comes along and offers you X times what you’re getting paid, that’s a tough one to resist.

“I don’t think we’re ever going to get away from that.”