Sean Dyche has seemingly ruled himself out of the race to replace the under-pressure Ruud van Nistelrooy at Leicester City.
The English coach has been out of management since he was sacked by Everton in January amid a grim run of one win in 11 Premier League games. The Toffees were embroiled in a relegation scrap but his replacement David Moyes has impressively steered them to safety.
Van Nistelrooy's future remains unclear heading into the final two games of the season. The Foxes fate has already been sealed after suffering relegation to the EFL Championship and the Dutchman has been largely blamed for the club's failure to remain in the top-flight.
Sean Dyche appears to play down Leicester links
Dyche has a fine reputation in the English game for proven success working with relegation candidates in the Premier League. His last job in the Championship came in the 2015-16 season when he took Burnley to the league title and clinched promotion with 93 points from 46 games.
The 53-year-old hasn't returned to management in the second-tier of English football since then, and perhaps that will be a factor in any decision over his next managerial job. He explained on Sky Sports' Stick to Football his stance on returning to the dugout amid links to Leicester:
“Not at the moment. The timing is wrong anyway. Not my timing, but clubs are going to have this time to see what they’re doing and all that sort of stuff. I got offered a couple of things straight away and I just said: ‘No, that’s not for me now.’ Then I wait and see what comes. You never say never."
Dyche spent two years at Everton after nine months out of a job following his sacking at Burnley in April 2022. He alluded to this:
“It’s like with the Everton thing. I was going on alright, living my life, enjoying having a break from it, doing a few media bits and quite enjoying charity bits and things that I do. Then the Everton one comes up and you feel that bug. Or you don’t. You either get that taste in your mouth or you go: ‘That’s not for me.’ It’s not an exact moment in time."
Dyche isn't the only option the Foxes could turn to if they part ways with Van Nistelrooy this summer. Former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O'Neil and ex-Southampton manager Russell Martin have also been linked.
Dyche's 'clean up guy' comment suggests PL return
Dyche explained how his remit is usually to come into struggling Premier League clubs and help them avoid relegation. He used his appointment at Everton as an example: “They were like: ‘Can you do us a favour and keep us in the Premier League and keep the money coming in?’ That was my remit, and there’s nothing wrong with that."
Dyche added:
“If you want that job doing, I’m going to have a good go at it. I can’t guarantee it, but I’m going to get a good handle on it. No, I’m not scared of that. You’re the clean-up guy and then we’ll get one of the fashionistas in after you, no problem.”
With the current Premier League season done and dusted with regards to the relegation battle its unlikely Dyche will be taking a job in the top-fight anytime soon. But he could be the top choice among clubs that encounter the threat of the drop in the 2025-26 campaign.
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