Everton boss Sean Dyche on the takeover by the Friedkin Group, their pledge to support him and the challenge of facing Chelsea in the Premier League
Finch Farm, Liverpool, UK
Finch Farm, Liverpool, UK
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00:00Good afternoon everyone, welcome to our pre-match press conference to preview our game against Chelsea this weekend, we'll start off with Vinny from Chelsea.
00:11Sean, we hear you've met with Mark Watts today, what's come out of that meeting?
00:15Just the simplicity, or not the simplicity, but the simple format moving forwards, made it clear other than the obvious challenge of all managers, winning games, they're fully supportive of me, the staff, the team, going forwards.
00:29What have you said to him, what do you even want from the new owners now?
00:33I haven't really said too much about what I want, he was just really asking questions about the feel of what I've learned in my time and the overall feeling of the club and some of my knowledge and the things I've learned, things that we can do going forwards.
00:49Most of the on-the-pitch stuff, he's made it clear, they're supportive of that and they want to be, it's not about them getting too involved with that side of things, obviously they've got the bigger picture of the club.
01:02So, yeah, as much picking each other's brains and just a very casual conversation, nothing too heavy, but making it clear that the financial stability is very important to the club moving forwards and from their point of view.
01:14Understanding the recent years and how that's gone and correcting that and also that there are still some challenges with the PSR and things to get through, so there's a lot going on still.
01:26When you talk about financial stability then, what scope will they give you to improve the squad in January?
01:32Well, as I said, PSR, so that's not about money or no money, it's about the rules, so there's only so much that can be done with immediacy, which they know.
01:41The ongoing challenge is to correct things moving forwards into the bigger picture, but the immediate one in January is going to be dominated once again by the PSR position from the years gone by of what the club have been doing.
01:53Overall though, how do you sum up the kind of difference that it makes to you now, the fact that the takeover is complete?
02:00Hopefully it's unlikely, but you stop asking questions about the very end takeovers that I've had to answer to, because he's offered me the answers.
02:10Hopefully that one means, OK, there's a group that have come in, they've obviously, from my knowledge, a very stable group and a big concern, so therefore that might quieten that story down.
02:24At least I'll probably have a window to not answer to about the owners.
02:29I think, as their words were, bringing stability, the immediate financial stability, and then pushing the club towards where everyone feels it should be.
02:37But he also mentioned it's going to take time to do that, so I think there's a longer view and a bigger picture to what they're going to try and achieve here.
02:45The next question that will be on record though is what clarity are you hoping for on your own future, short term, and then beyond this season as well?
02:51Well, as I said, other than the obvious one to all managers, winning games, that always stands you in good stead.
02:57Other than that, he's made it quite clear face-to-face and happy for me to tell you that they've got nothing other than the support from me, the staff and the team.
03:05Like I say, you've got to win games, that's a natural process, but yeah, nothing but support, no other thoughts on anything other.
03:11How much do you want to stay beyond the summer?
03:14Yeah, well, if – because you can never guarantee these things, by the way.
03:18We've seen how the Premier League works and money, no money, all the challenges and everyone thinks money corrects everything.
03:23Of course, it often makes you more powerful and gives you a better scope, but it doesn't guarantee.
03:28Well, let's say after 22, 23 months of really, really hard work, it would be pleasant to at least try and have a moment when you can look forwards and try and improve.
03:40I mean, beyond the natural improvement of trying to work with the coaches and the team and that kind of improvement and development, then the possibility of having more flexibility.
03:49But, as I said, there's still things that need corrected from the club anyway.
03:52The PSR situation still needs correcting and working to make sure that's in place.
03:58So, it's not an immediate change, but I think it'd be nice to have a sort of a viewpoint where you think it's a little bit more stable
04:06than since I've been here when it's virtually always been sold, not sold, sold, not sold.
04:10So, we'll have to wait and see how it goes from here.
04:12I don't want to put words into your mouth, but is there a feeling that you almost deserve a chance at a new stadium, given what you've had to deal with?
04:18I'm not – look, I said when I got out, as I see management, particularly of a club with history, it's because you're a custodian.
04:25So far, despite the ins and outs of every weekly result, then I know the job that I've done so far, but it's a so-far story.
04:34There's still lots to do. I've said that endlessly. It's an ongoing challenge.
04:38This might bring, as we're speaking about, a more solid feel and a stable feel because of all the ins and outs of possible change of owners.
04:45There's no magic wand, I don't think, but it'd be nice to think all the work is for good reason,
04:52and there's been a lot of good work, not just by myself, by a lot of people who have worked very, very hard through a very tough period and continue to do so.
05:00Just to clarify as well, is it just Mark you've spoken to? You've spoken to Dan Friedkin as well?
05:04No, just to Mark this morning. So, basically to him, on a one-on-one and just sharing thoughts.
05:09Do you expect it to have an impact on the atmosphere at Goodison this weekend as well?
05:12It seems like there's a bit of a relief around the club now that this takeover.
05:16Yeah, of course. I don't know about the on-the-pitch thing, but I think all Evertonians be – well, I would imagine it brings, as we said,
05:25some kind of stability and a way forward when everyone was having an arm-in-arm about all these rumours and everything like that.
05:31So, I would hope so. I hope it brings a positive feel. We're trying to do that through the team, of course, and results,
05:37but it's a nice backdrop if the club seemingly is in a stable position moving forward again.
05:43I will ask you a question about football as well.
05:46Rare, but anyway.
05:49Obviously, do you see this Chelsea side that you're up against as title contenders now,
05:53and what do you see as maybe change for them from the side that you beat?
05:58Well, the manager's done a great job in my opinion so far.
06:01I think he seemingly made it clear from an outside view this is, I don't know about inside the camp,
06:07but you either get on board or you don't, but the ones on board are going to be the ones that take us forward,
06:12and he's created a team atmosphere, I think, and a dynamic which he's working well for them.
06:16So, we know that they've spent so much money over the years, but you've still got to combine it.
06:21Like I say, there's no exact shortcut. It helps, of course, and combine it into an outfit that can be successful.
06:26There's certainly signs of that. Our job is to stop them, concentrate on our own form.
06:31We've been solid at least. We know that we need to score more goals, but defensively we had a sixth clean sheet,
06:37and that's a pretty good figure at this stage, and particularly with some of the challenge that we've had.
06:42We've also seen today that Dele has said his future is elsewhere now. How do you feel about that?
06:47The major point that we agreed as a collective really was to get him back to a good place,
06:53and I think he's there. He's just had so much misfortune with injuries and niggly injuries that have carried on.
07:00You couldn't imagine the challenge he's had, so we wish him well, and I think that's the best we can do.
07:06He's been nothing but an ease for me to work with. The medical team worked tirelessly with him, as he has as well,
07:14and on to a new challenge, but we certainly wish him well.
07:21Would you expect movement on the futures of the 13 players out of contract?
07:28Would you expect that to be escalated now that the situation is stable?
07:32I don't think it was about that. I think it's about all parties agreeing to the rights of each player
07:37and why we'd want to use them further, keep them possible comings and goings.
07:43I don't think that's stopped by any means. What it will do is give more of a level playing field to the situation,
07:49because there will be some form of advice on where the finances are from inside.
07:56The difference between what we're talking about outside as regards transfers is the PSR situation.
08:00That's still got to be adhered to, but inside it might bring more positivity and flexibility,
08:05what we can do with players who are coming out of contract.
08:08As for the team news this weekend, is there anything you can update us with, in particular, McNeil and Garner and Tim?
08:15Garner, Jimmy and Tim are still a bit behind the curve. They're making progress, though, so that's good,
08:20but that's not going to be quick progress at this stage.
08:23They are on the grass and just beginning to take soft steps back towards fitness.
08:30Dwight will probably be touch and go. He's still got a niggly knee.
08:33We're being careful with that, as is he, so we're hopeful, but we'll have to wait and see.
08:37Are you pleased for the supporters in a way? They've had a few ups and downs in the last few years,
08:44but there is undoubted positivity now. Are you pleased for them?
08:47Yes, I think they've been waiting for the next phase.
08:50I said at the very beginning, the news of sales, I can't imagine for one minute,
08:56or I do know for it, it's not easy to buy football clubs.
08:59The amount of money involved and all the, I'm sure, the legal work that's involved.
09:04It takes time regardless, and the fact is it's been frustrating for everyone,
09:08especially for supporters, when it's nearly sold and it's not, it's nearly sold and it's not, and then now it is.
09:14I can imagine there's positivity around that, and I hope there is.
09:17I hope it's a new beginning on many fronts for the club.
09:20No, I must mention, Mr Meshiri, I must say, nothing but good for me, personally.
09:25They're very fair-minded with me, and whatever people think, he's a big force behind getting the new stadium,
09:32and I think that needs to be mentioned as well.
09:34I know there's been some challenges and some opinions, of course I do,
09:37but you can only speak for me since I've been at the club.
09:40He's been supportive, and for what he's done in the bigger picture,
09:43one day we'll probably be looked upon as being another new beginning for the club,
09:47but we'll wait and see.
09:48But certainly the stadium, I think it's fair to mention his support and drive to make that happen.
10:00You mentioned the PSR position.
10:02Does that mean spending in January will be done more wisely rather than lavishly?
10:07Well, it's always got to be wisely.
10:09Since I've been here, there's been no lavish behaviour, that's for sure, financially.
10:14No, it'll be governed by the PSR position at the club.
10:17That'll be defined nearer the time, but at the moment it's not going to be loads and loads of money to spend.
10:22Well, it can't be because of the rules, so therefore it's not about having money or not having money,
10:26it's just about the rules and the way it lies.
10:29Do you know where the club are in terms of the PSR position?
10:33No, we'll find out more detail on that over the coming weeks.
10:38Just a couple of other subjects.
10:41There's only three permanent managers left in the Premier League, which are British.
10:46Now, you're being one of those.
10:48What do you feel about that situation?
10:50Do you see it changing any time soon?
10:54I've never felt any different.
10:56If you're good, you're good.
10:57And if you're not deemed good enough, then you're not.
10:59And results indicate, usually, that sort of journey, the amount of foreign owners in the Premier League.
11:06It's no surprise you've got a lot of foreign managers.
11:08It's never bothered me.
11:09It's always been, if you're good enough to get the job, you get it.
11:12And unfortunately, a couple of managers have lost their jobs.
11:14It's very difficult, I can assure you of that.
11:16And I wish them well going for whatever comes next.
11:19But results, eventually, are the things that cost all managers, no matter where you're from on the planet.
11:25In terms of the league and the nationality, the Premier League comes lowest in terms of the top five leagues.
11:33What sort of messages does that send to British coaches?
11:35If it sends no other message than be good.
11:38If you want a job, you've got to be good at it.
11:40Simple as that.
11:41I'm not really bothered by all the rest of it.
11:43I look after my own position the best I can.
11:45One day it will change.
11:46Go on and get another one.
11:47And try and be good enough to get another one.
11:55You've frequently had to take questions in here about things that you probably have no knowledge of
12:00because they're around the club and the way it's been run.
12:02And I think since you've come in, you've probably been the voice of the club under the previous ownership
12:06because there wasn't any chance for us to ask any questions.
12:11Now, today, does this mean you can finally just focus on the job that you actually came in to do?
12:17I don't think it's as simple as that.
12:19I don't get the feeling.
12:21You've got to remember, I've met these guys just literally today.
12:24So it's a very quick conversation.
12:27There's lots more to be done, I'm sure.
12:29But I don't get the feeling they want to be front of house, explaining every detail of every part of the club.
12:34I'm sure there'll be statements when needed.
12:36So I still think I'll be answering to a lot.
12:38But I think it's, well, hopefully, that the backside of the club is more level with the financial stability.
12:47And over time, they might change places and put people in place.
12:50But at the moment, I don't think, certainly from this morning's meeting,
12:53I don't think they're projecting that they're out there saying chapter and verse about the club.
12:57But there will be some announcement, I'm sure, in due course about varying things.
13:00But no, not on the football side.
13:02I think it'll be still me you'd be talking to, currently.
13:05There's some quotes that have come out from the captain, Seamus Coleman, on Everton's website.
13:10And he's just described it as a tough four or five years at the club.
13:13And everyone's now looking forward.
13:14And you've used the word stability there.
13:16And I know the freeking group have used the word stability a lot as well.
13:19How integral, though, has Seamus been in here when maybe the headlines around the club have been swirling
13:25and it hasn't felt a positive atmosphere?
13:27I just wondered what role he plays even when he's not on the pitch.
13:31Yeah, I mean, we try and keep around everything that we do.
13:34He knows it's open house with myself and the staff.
13:36And he's been terrific as the person that he is.
13:38It's not just about him being a player.
13:41He genuinely cares about the club because of his years of service, his connection with the people.
13:46He lives roughly in the area.
13:50And I think he's to be admired, I think, in the modern game, personally.
13:55The game's changed.
13:56The values of the game have changed for each individual player.
13:59And life's changed.
14:01But he's from that old school in a very positive way of someone who's connected to the club and the people.
14:06And he cares deeply about it.
14:07And he makes it clear to myself, the staff and the players when needs be.
14:10And always in the right manner, by the way.
14:12You know, the way he conducts himself is exemplary.
14:15Goals so far.
14:16We've asked you this before about goals this season have been a bit more tricky to come by.
14:21I'm just looking at the match stats for Arsenal.
14:23And it was 23.4% possession for Everton.
14:27I've asked you about possession when the results weren't coming.
14:30But it was a good result at Arsenal.
14:33Is that sustainable against top sides to sort of absorb that pressure?
14:38Finding different ways to win.
14:39And if you can't win, don't lose.
14:41Finding different ways to do that is tough in the Premier League anyway.
14:44Particularly when you're playing teams so reckoned with at home, particularly.
14:50You know, finding different ways is an important factor of it.
14:52And I think we gave a good performance for different reasons.
14:55We got a clean sheet.
14:56Another clean sheet gives us another building block.
14:58We've got to obviously find the balance.
15:00We've spoken about that endlessly.
15:01It is tough when you go playing the top sort of four, five, six teams sometimes.
15:05And particularly at their grounds.
15:07And I thought for that reason, I've always said, you know, there was a myth 10, 15 years ago.
15:12Possession, you know, is the only way to win.
15:14We know the stats and facts are incorrect on that now.
15:17It's not the only way to win.
15:18It's finding different ways to win.
15:19And sometimes you've got to win without the ball.
15:21You know, that's part and parcel of the game.
15:23But you've got to find a way.
15:24And if you can't win, as I said, don't get beat.
15:26And we certainly did that.
15:27And Yusuf Chimiti has been with the under-21s.
15:30He's had quite a few outings now.
15:31I'm just wondering what the plan is now to try and integrate him back in it
15:35and maybe see him feature in the second half of the season?
15:38The same as he is doing.
15:39You know, getting him around it, keeping him around it, keeping him fit, of course.
15:42Keeping him training hard, which he is doing.
15:44And continuous development.
15:46You know, because he was brought in as a kind of player for a fee, sorry.
15:52It's almost like he's older.
15:53He's not. He's still a young player.
15:54You know, it doesn't age you just because you pay a fee for someone.
15:57So he's still got time on his hands.
15:59But he's developing well.
16:00As I said, I can't state it enough.
16:01He's been very unfortunate because I thought pre-season he looked really sharp,
16:04was playing really strong.
16:06And really, really gutted for him and that he's been injured.
16:09But he's certainly working hard to regain that real fitness.
16:12Sorry, real sharpness in his game.
16:15Thanks, Julian.
16:16We'll go to Carl at the Press Association.
16:18Hi, Sean.
16:19You've had the support from the ownership.
16:21So do you feel in the next six months you've got something to prove to them,
16:25you know, in terms of you could be their guy going forward?
16:28Proving yourself as a manager is ongoing.
16:30You know, it's a weekly or bi-weekly event.
16:32Every game will be another opinion, good, bad or indifferent.
16:35So it's no different to me.
16:36You know, the bigger picture is what I've always been interested in here.
16:39There's been a lot to manage, a lot to do, and there still is.
16:41So I'm not worried about my situation.
16:43It's more about trying my best to keep correcting the ongoing situation.
16:48You said the initial talks today were just general,
16:50about just sort of fact-finding and figuring things out.
16:53Do you expect to have more regular contact,
16:56maybe more personal contact than you had, obviously, with the previous ownership?
17:00We'll see.
17:01From what I gather, or certainly from the chat today,
17:04it's more like a business approach.
17:06It'll be hands-off and you guys are there for a reason.
17:09You know, we value you, we trust you, we want to support you.
17:12But not in a way that, you know, by his words,
17:14you're not ringing every day saying,
17:15what about this, what about that?
17:16I don't think that's going to be the situation.
17:18But all relationships are built over time.
17:20You know, they're not an instant thing in football, in life.
17:23So I think it'd be more a case of, you know,
17:25finding how it works best from a number of different people who are involved.
17:29Thanks, Karl. We'll go to Will.
17:33Hi, Sean.
17:34One of the things that the free group says is to cultivate homegrown players
17:37through our academy.
17:38That's one of their goals.
17:39It's been difficult for the academy.
17:41A lot of players have been told they won't be in the ACL,
17:43Samuel Smith to Chelsea.
17:45What's your thought on the academy situation at the minute?
17:49How can it improve?
17:50Yeah, everything's been thrust into the first team, really.
17:54Everyone knows that over the last few seasons.
17:56So that'll be another operational thing when they start looking at some point
18:00on things like financing different areas of the club, reasons for it.
18:05The women's team as well, you know, all different things.
18:07So I think that'll be another viewpoint.
18:09Of course, we want an academy that can work to the best of its abilities.
18:13Of course, if you get it right, it's a strong vein to come through the club
18:18of players, and relatively so in the now market, relatively cheap.
18:23It's not cheap to run an academy properly, but, you know,
18:25relative to some of the numbers we see for players.
18:28But I think there's so many different facets of the club that need affecting
18:33and aligning that I think it'll be a process.
18:36And like I say, I think stability is their key,
18:38they've made that clear to you, they've made it clear to me.
18:40And whilst getting that stability,
18:41obviously affecting as many areas of the club as possible.
18:44It's been a difficult job for you.
18:45I'm sure it's been difficult for Kevin Falwell as well,
18:47who's out of contract in the summer as well.
18:49In terms of your relationship, would you like for him to stay on?
18:53Do you think he deserves a chance to improve?
18:55Who's this, Mark, the chairman?
18:56Falwell.
18:57Alright, sorry.
18:58Do you think he deserves a chance for you?
19:00Yeah, I think he's a good operator anyway.
19:03His history suggests that.
19:04I get on well with him.
19:06We've both been realistic with the challenges
19:08and sometimes you take some heat for that,
19:10but the reality is still the reality.
19:12The truth is the truth.
19:13And I think we've stayed steadfast to the challenge right in front of us,
19:16whether it's financially or trying to get the players in
19:19who are appropriate to try and mould us into a better unit
19:22whilst not breaking the bank
19:24and trying to find a way of getting saleable assets
19:26who can grow and mature with the team
19:28and be worth something in the future.
19:30It's a tough challenge.
19:31Recruitment's a massive challenge in football.
19:33There's no two ways, in all sports, but particularly in football.
19:36A very difficult thing to get right constantly
19:39and we've had to get it right more than not since I've been here
19:41and he's had to play his part in that without a doubt.
19:43Just in terms of the training ground,
19:45Stanley Mills is back training with the first team.
19:47How good is it to see him back after his injury problems?
19:49Yeah, good.
19:50He was unlucky.
19:51He was having a good loan spell and got a really serious injury.
19:52He's come back looking strong and fit.
19:54And in terms of Ghana and Ereboom,
19:56do you think they'll be back this year or will they be after a few years?
19:58We'll have to wait and see.
19:59I don't want to put timescales on it
20:00because it's two kind of odd injuries
20:02and quite lengthy injuries in the way that they map out
20:05with the science team and with the physio team,
20:07the physiotherapy team.
20:08But they're making good progress.
20:11Thanks, Will.
20:12Any further questions in the open section?
20:14We'll take one more.
20:15Just one more.
20:16Cole Palmer, obviously a player that possesses such technical quality
20:21and he scored a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge last season.
20:24How do you go about, as a side,
20:26trying to stop a player of such tremendous quality?
20:29There's so many good players in the Premier League.
20:32It's not just about him,
20:33but he is a very good player without a doubt.
20:35The team organisation, the team shape,
20:37the value as a team to compete against the opposition.
20:41I've never been one for following players around the pitch.
20:43It's more about what we do as a collective
20:45and I think that's been more powerful, in my view,
20:47of how you work as a team.
20:48But he's a very good player without a doubt.
20:53Any further questions?
20:55Cheers.