We’re only a few months into the new Premier League season and fans have already witnessed the brutality of the managerial-merry-go round. Scott Parker was sacked after his Bournemouth side were thrashed 9-0 by Liverpool at Anfield, becoming the first managerial casualty of the season. Thomas Tuchel quickly followed at Chelsea, being replaced by Brighton manager Graham Potter, with the Seagulls appointing highly-rated Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi as his successor.
It leaves plenty of questions to answer heading into the next set of fixtures before the winter World Cup break. Looking at the relegation battle, sides might need to make changes in order to beat the drop, and who better to help than survival specialist Sean Dyche. Having left Burnley last season following almost a decade of service for the Clarets, Dyche could be in line for a number of new jobs, with Vincent Kompany hitting the ground running at Turf Moor with his new, progressive style.
Known for his fantastic man-management, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Dyche, either at club level or internationally, with fans wanting him to take over from Gareth Southgate at England should the Three Lions struggle in Qatar. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the options that could become available to him should he make a return to the English game.
Leicester City
Rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, it looks like Leicester City have gone as far as they can with Brendan Rodgers. The Northern Irishman needs investment, with the core of his side still the same as when he arrived from Celtic almost four years ago. With Vardy getting older and key members of the side departing, Rodgers is a ticking time bomb at the King Power stadium, and Leicester may need to change things up if they want to survive, a fate that looks worse with football betting odds with each passing defeat.
Perhaps a more short-term solution, Dyche is known for getting the best out of the players at his disposal, and could create a hard-working system that ensures Leicester beat the drop, albeit in not as attractive style as Rodgers. Born just a few miles up the road in Kettering, Dyche is familiar with the East Midlands crowd and knows that they can get on board his project should results start to improve. And they’ll need to quick if the Foxes want to avoid an embarrassing relegation.
Bournemouth
Despite things improving under temporary manager Gary O’Neil, Dyche could be the solution to Bournemouth’s troubles in their first campaign back in the Premier League for three seasons. The Cherries have a side that lacks identity, as stylistically they were set up to play the attractive football that ensured they were promoted from the Championship, but the dressing room is suited to the physicality of the league and to play more direct. Bournemouth’s best performances have come from working as a disciplined unit and that’s where Dyche could get the best out of the side on the South Coast.
Watford
As well as a return to the Premier League, Dyche could also pursue a reunion with former side Watford. The Hornets were Dyche’s first professional role in 2011 and could make a return to Vicarage Road with the side floating around mid-table despite being tipped for automatic promotion.
Despite Slaven Bilić’s recent appointment replacing Rob Elliot, the Watford board are known for their ruthless dismissal of managers, with 10 permanent bosses in five years. The Croatian is unlikely to get time to build a side in his image, and if he fails to hit the ground running before the turn of the year, Dyche could be on hand to offer salvation.
While the role sounds appealing based on sentiment alone, it could be the perfect reunion for Dyche, even on a short-term basis, having said before that he would be partial to a second-tier return if the Premier League doesn’t come to fruition.
