Micah Richards now insists that £96k-a-week man is ‘perfect’ for Everton

According to Micah Richards, Sean Dyche is still the best choice to guide Everton moving ahead.

Sean Dyche has been under fire once more since Everton lost 2-1 to newly promoted Luton Town at Goodison Park on Saturday, giving the Hatters their first-ever Premier League victory.

After Frank Lampard stepped down as manager of the Toffees in January 2023, Dyche took over. Last season, he was able to guide the Merseyside team to Premier League survival, but only thanks to a victory on the penultimate day of the season.

As of right now, the 52-year-old has managed 27 games for Everton throughout all competitions. He has only achieved eight victories out of those 27, with just one so far this season coming in the Premier League. Everton has only four points after seven league games have been played. They have just scored one goal at home all year and have yet to pick up a point at Goodison Park.

Micah Richards has pushed the team to keep the manager despite this demonstrably subpar performance.

The former Manchester City full-back remarked on the podcast The Rest is Football: “Dyche is fantastic for someone like Everton, just because he’s been there, he’s done it, and he works on percentages…It might not be as aesthetically pleasing as we would all like, but earning those tiny percentages is all that will separate keeping up from falling down.

Dyche influence open to debate

Dyche is certainly a pragmatist, who has successfully fended off relegation with a defensive style of play in the past. Whether his methods are proving effective enough at Everton, though, is a matter that is open to debate.

However, there are external issues at the club conspiring against Dyche. The financial situation at the club, and the uncertainty over the future of the ownership, are matters beyond his control that can have a negative impact on players.

Equally, Dyche has been unlucky at times this season. On multiple occasions, Everton have dropped points in matches that they’ve played well in and made plenty of chances, only to be let down by poor finishing. It would be harsh to pin that on the £96,000-a-week coach.