Everton entered a new era last week with the announcement of a takeover and capped it off with a crucial point earned on Sunday.
The first half of the season has not been what Everton fans were hoping for, as the threat of relegation looms once again.
However, recent performances under Sean Dyche have shown signs of improvement, with the Toffees picking up five points from their last three games.
Although Everton remains near the bottom of the table, there are glimmers of hope. The new owners, The Friedkin Group, appear to be steering the club in a positive direction.
However, football legends Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker have issued a warning to the new leadership about making a potentially costly mistake.
The Friedkins warned about replacing Sean Dyche
Sean Dyche met with The Friedkin Group on Friday and reportedly received their backing following the takeover. Recent results have bolstered confidence in the manager, as Everton secured points against two of the Premier League’s top sides.
On The Rest is Football podcast, Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker strongly supported Dyche as the right man to lead Everton through this challenging period.
“So, I mean, he’s going to keep them up. Sean Dyche is very organised and disciplined in the way he plays, and then they’re hard to score against,” Lineker said.
“I’ve always felt that because of Sean Dyche and because of his experience and all those things, they’ll have too much for the teams in and around them,” Shearer added.
“And the most important thing for them, absolutely, this season is staying up because of their new stadium next season. So I believe they’ll do that, and new owners, so they’ll be alright because of because of Sean Dyche.”
However, not everyone shares this view. Former Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has suggested the club should consider hiring Graham Potter instead of sticking with Dyche.
Dyche’s current contract runs out in the summer, a factor that could simplify The Friedkin Group’s decision if they opt for a managerial change.
Lessons from West Ham’s mistake
With new ownership and the potential to strengthen in the January transfer window, The Friedkin Group must approach the situation with realistic expectations.
A managerial change could risk disrupting progress, especially when the alternative might only result in a slightly higher league finish.
Dyche has proven his capability, keeping Everton up in the past two seasons, and is starting to deliver better results with a fit squad.
West Ham’s recent example serves as a cautionary tale. Over the summer, they bowed to fan pressure and replaced David Moyes with Julen Lopetegui. That decision has not paid off, as the Hammers currently sit just one spot above Everton in the league table.
For Everton, stability under Dyche could be key, especially with the team preparing to move into a new stadium next season.
The risk of changing managers mid-season may not be worth the gamble, particularly when Dyche is showing signs of progress at Goodison Park.