The Friedkin Group ‘has nothing but support for me,’ says Dyche

Everton manager Sean Dyche said new Toffees chief executive Marc Watts has his “full support” after a “very casual” meeting at the club’s training ground on Friday.

Watts, who was appointed after the Friedkin Group completed the purchase of the club from Farhad Moshiri on Thursday, met Dyche and women’s team manager Brian Sorensen and held a meeting with other staff.

“Apart from winning games – which all managers need to do – they’ve made it clear they have nothing but support for me,” said Dyche.

“It was about the format moving forward. They fully support me, the staff and the team moving forward… there is only support and no second thoughts about anything else.

“I didn’t say too much about what I wanted. They asked questions about what I learned in my time and the overall feel of the club.”

▶️ Sean Dyche confirms he met with our new CEO Marc Watts today and talks about the positive feeling from yesterday’s takeover announcement 🔵 pic.twitter.com/gK7XcMGMP0

— Everton (@Everton) December 20, 2024

Friedkin Group: Takeover of Everton ‘solved’

Former Watford and Burnley boss Dyche has been part of a turbulent period at Everton since being appointed in January 2023, starting with the club’s relegation relief on the final day of the 2022/23 season.

Everton were deducted a total of eight points for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules last season but finished 14 points above the relegation zone.

They are currently three points clear of third-placed Ipswich Town after winning three of their first 15 league games, and Dyche is reluctant to think about whether he expects to be in charge when they move to their new 52,888-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock next season.

▶️ Dwight McNeil is fit for this weekend’s game at home to Chelsea after missing last weekend’s draw with a knee injury, while James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are on grass as they continue to build their fitness 🔵 pic.twitter.com/Im3X4iRVqI

— Everton (@Everton) December 20, 2024

“It’s not an immediate change, but it would be good to be a little more stable than it’s been since I’ve been here,” he said of the takeover.

“The possible change of owner is now settled. There is no magic wand, but it would be nice to know that (my) hard work was for a good reason. I hope he will bring a positive mood to the team.”

Dyche: Everton’s finances ‘very important’

“They support most things on the pitch … they don’t get too involved in that side of things,” Dyche added.

“It was very casual, we picked each other’s heads and made it clear that the financial position of the club is very important for the future.”

Chelsea visit Goodison Park on Sunday (14:00 BST), when Everton will look to improve their seven-game winning streak by winning back-to-back home games.