Dyche: It's Been An Enjoyable Eight Years

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2020-10-25T18:00:00.000Z

Dyche: It's Been An Enjoyable Eight Years

2020-10-25T18:00:00.000Z

Sean Dyche has paid tribute to his staff and all the players who have played under him during his eight-year reign at Turf Moor.

The Clarets boss – currently the longest serving manager in the Premier League and third longest in the entire Football League – reaches his latest milestone next week.

And Dyche took time out to salute those who have helped transform the club from his arrival back in 2012.

“My role here has been very enjoyable. It has its challenge, without a shadow of a doubt, but I’ve enjoyed every part of it, even the not so good stuff from the early days, when there were a lot of questions,” said Dyche.

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“You have to come through those times to believe in yourself and believe the work that your staff are doing is right, and the players to buy into it all.

“I only brought a couple of staff here with me and one of the good things about the people that have left is they haven’t done so for any other reason than going onto better opportunities.

“That’s a good sign, and there’s no gripe about anything we do here.

“We have tried to build and be realistic and work within all of the parameters and guidelines set by the Chairman and the board and try to make it work.

“That’s exactly what we are still doing, but it’s impossible to do it without the good staff and the players I have and I've had.”

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Dyche, who has been aided throughout his reign by assistant manager Ian Woan, first team coach Tony Loughlan and goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer, along with a tight-knit team of personnel, added: “We have grown as a staff, but not beyond the realms of normality.

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“There are certain clubs who turn up here with a bus for the staff. We don’t want to overwhelm the players and we try to have that earthy edge.

“I’d also like to think the connection with the fans has always been there, and it’s certainly been strengthened since I’ve been here.

“It’s a valuable part of the club and something old fashioned in a way, but in a good way. My first press conference here, I spoke about there being sweat on the shirt and building a one club mentality and we have certainly done those two things.

“Those were the only things I could guarantee, but it’s a ‘we’, not a ‘me’.

"Someone has to lead it, of course, but it’s about my staff and the players in terms of how we operate and, of course, the fans.

“They can either accept you or get rid of you. That’s how things are now.

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"The pressure of the media and social media can build very quickly and I think the fans here have been patient and realistic.

“They understand the challenges of the club and some of my challenges.

"They are very fair minded and they’ve been understanding in a business that is not very understanding any more and is more cut-throat.”

Dyche’s side welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Turf Moor on Monday night, looking to build on last week’s goalless draw at WBA, which got their points tally up and running at the fourth attempt.

Spurs were the last side to play at Turf Moor in front of a crowd in March of this year; the Clarets dominating but having to settle for a 1-1 draw before the lockdown led to clubs playing in empty stadiums ever since.

And Dyche hopes for a repeat of that performance against Jose Mourinho’s side, who have won two of their five league games this season.

PL PREVIEW: Tottenham Hotspur v Burnley - Image 2

The Burnley boss said: “We will be looking to play effectively and in a style that can awkward and hard for them to get a grip on.

“But equally, we have to deal with them. They have top players and they are in good form, but we have played them before, given a good performance level and got something from the game and we’ll have to do that again.

“We can only remain focused in what we do. We did well coming out of lockdown last season, despite some real challenges to the group.

“We have to respond to that again and although it’s been tough with the injuries so far, we are getting players back and the signs are we are getting stronger.”

Clarets+ will have live commentary of Monday’s game at Turf Moor, with Phil Bird and Andy Payton on air from 7.45pm.