Everton have confirmed the appointment of Sean Dyche as their new manager.
The former Burnley boss has arrived at Goodison Park to replace Frank Lampard, who was sacked in the wake of last weekend's 2-0 Premier League defeat to West Ham United.
Dyche has been out of work since being let go by Burnley in April of last year, and he has agreed a two-and-a-half year contract at Everton until the summer of 2025.
The 51-year-old takes over with the Toffees sat 19th in the Premier League table - only above basement side Southampton on goal difference - and his first game in charge will be against league leaders Arsenal at Goodison Park on Saturday.
"It's an honour to become Everton manager. My staff and I are ready and eager to help get this great club back on track," Dyche told the official Everton website.
Welcome to Everton Football Club, Sean Dyche! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/B8Z7WlIXb9
— Everton (@Everton) January 30, 2023
"I know about Everton's passionate fanbase and how precious this club is to them. We're ready to work and ready to give them what they want. That starts with sweat on the shirt, effort and getting back to some of the basic principles of what Everton Football Club has stood for for a long time.
"We want to bring back a good feeling. We need the fans, we need unity and we need everyone aligned. That starts with us as staff and players.
"Our aim is to put out a team that works, that fights and wears the badge with pride. The connection with the fans can then grow very quickly because they're so passionate. There is quality in this squad. But we have to make them shine. That's the job of me and my staff.
"We want to change the shape of this club going forward, remodel it in our style, but in a way that we can win. That's the task in front of us - make sure we're building, tactically and technically, giving players organisation, allow them the freedom to play, to go and enjoy their football because it's brilliant when the team's playing with a smile, but we've got to win."
Dyche will be joined at Goodison Park by assistant manager Ian Wood, first-team coach Steve Stone and sports scientist Mark Howard, all of whom worked with the Englishman during his time at Burnley.
© Reuters
After entering the managerial landscape with Watford in 2011, Dyche was appointed to the Burnley hotseat in 2012, and he took charge of 425 games for the Clarets in a spell lasting nearly a decade.
Dyche led Burnley to promotion in the 2013-14 and 2015-16 Championship seasons, and the Clarets memorably reached the Europa League qualification rounds in the 2018-19 season.
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright believes that the 51-year-old can bring some much-needed 'inspiration' to the Toffees fanbase, who have led protests against the club's ownership in recent weeks.
"Kevin and I spent some valuable time with Sean over the past few days and he quickly convinced me that he has exactly the right attributes to make himself a great Everton manager – and a man who could inspire our fanbase. And Farhad felt the same when he met him, too," Kenwright added.
Dyche won 152, drew 114 and lost 159 of his 425 matches in charge of Burnley, who were ultimately relegated from the Premier League last season following the sacking of the Everton boss.
Ben Knapton
