Michael Keane: Everton sacked “Fantastic” boss Sean Dyche

Michael Keane has praised former Everton boss Sean Dyche, calling him a “fantastic manager” and insisting he did an “unbelievable” job under difficult circumstances at Goodison Park.

The 32-year-old centre-back, who signed a new contract in the summer, has been a key figure for Everton this season during Jarrad Branthwaite’s injury absence. But in a recent interview with TalkSPORT, Keane reflected on the managerial changes at the club and questioned whether Dyche should have been allowed more time.

“Sean was a fantastic manager. He’s been amazing for me personally at Burnley and when he was here as well,” Keane said. “I think he had a really difficult situation when he came here. The club was in a bit of a mess and he did unbelievably well to keep us safe for a couple of years.”

Dyche was appointed in early 2023 during one of Everton’s most turbulent periods, tasked with steering the club away from relegation. He succeeded in securing survival in back-to-back seasons despite financial constraints and squad imbalances.

However, following the Friedkin Group’s takeover in 2024, the board opted for change, bringing in David Moyes for a second spell. Dyche’s exit marked the end of an era, but clearly left a lasting impression on senior players like Keane.

Since leaving Everton, Dyche has been linked with several vacancies, including Rangers, who are enduring a difficult campaign under Russell Martin, and West Ham, where Graham Potter is under increasing scrutiny.

The irony, as noted by Keane, is that Everton’s upcoming clash with West Ham could indirectly affect Potter’s future — and perhaps even accelerate Dyche’s return to management.

FootballPlace analyst John William believes Keane’s comments reflect Dyche’s understated but important contributions:

“Sean Dyche will never be remembered as flashy, but his work at Everton was vital. He brought stability when the club desperately needed it and secured survival against the odds. Players like Keane clearly value him highly, which says a lot about his man-management skills.”

He added: “It’s only a matter of time before Dyche is back in work. With links to Rangers and West Ham, he’ll soon have an opportunity to prove himself again.”

Dyche remains out of work but is unlikely to be on the sidelines for long. With clubs in both England and Scotland considering a managerial change, his reputation as a survival specialist and steadying influence makes him an attractive option.

For Everton, Dyche’s exit is already part of a new chapter under Moyes, but Keane’s comments underline how respected the 54-year-old remains among those who played under him.

👉 Do you think Everton made the right call moving on from Sean Dyche, or should he have been given more time to build?