Everton Manager Sean Dyche Comments on Off-Field Uncertainties and Takeover at Everton

Everton Manager Sean Dyche has spoken out about the ongoing off-field uncertainties at the club, including a possible takeover and a disciplinary hearing over an alleged breach of the Premier League’s financial fair play rules. While it was initially reported that the club would go before an independent commission next Wednesday, recent reports suggest that the hearing has already started this week, with the outcome expected to be published in several weeks. Dyche acknowledges that this is an “ongoing process” and states that he cannot control any of the off-field matters at the club.

In March, Everton was referred to the disciplinary hearing by the Premier League, but the specifics of the Financial Fair Play (FFP) case were not disclosed. The club announced a £44.7m deficit in the 2021-22 season, marking their fifth consecutive year of financial losses. Their cumulative losses over the past five years have exceeded £430m. Under Premier League rules, clubs are allowed to have losses of up to £105m over a three-year period. Everton attributed part of their losses to the Covid-19 pandemic. The club has denied any wrongdoing and expressed their readiness to defend their position.

When asked about the hearing, Dyche stated that he is waiting to see the outcome and timelines, emphasizing that it does not involve him as the manager. He mentioned that he can only focus on what he can control and that he has no knowledge or involvement in the club’s off-field matters. Dyche remains committed to shaping the team’s performance on the pitch and staying focused amidst the ongoing off-field uncertainties.

Aside from the disciplinary hearing, discussions regarding Everton’s takeover by 777 Partners are still ongoing. There were reports on Wednesday that the deal had stalled due to the company’s inability to provide relevant financial information to regulators. Last month, Farhad Moshiri, the owner of Everton, agreed to sell his 94% stake in the club to the Miami-based investment company. The takeover process involves regulatory scrutiny from the Premier League, Football Association (FA), and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which usually takes around 12 weeks to complete.

Dyche commented on the takeover, mentioning that he had a casual meeting with 777 Partners. However, he admitted that he is not aware of the exact timescales involved in the takeover process, as these procedures can take a significant amount of time. Despite the off-field situation, Dyche assures that neither he nor the squad is focused on it, as they are fully committed to their on-field responsibilities.

Currently, Everton sits in 16th place in the Premier League table with only two victories from their first eight games. They are preparing to face their city rivals, Liverpool, who are currently in fourth position, just three points off the top spot. Despite the off-field uncertainties, Dyche and his team remain dedicated to improving their performance on the pitch and delivering positive results.

In conclusion, Sean Dyche acknowledges that he cannot control the off-field uncertainties at Everton, such as the ongoing takeover process and the disciplinary hearing. He remains focused on his responsibilities as the manager and ensures that both he and the team are committed to improving their performance on the pitch.