Sean Dyche Burnley
Sean Dyche wants to progress further in this season’s FA Cup but the Burnley manager insists the “real goal” is maintaining the club’s place in the Premier League. Dyche has unapologetically prioritised Burnley’s league fortunes over anything else during his tenure, but they have a chance to reach their first FA Cup quarter-final in 18 years when they welcome Bournemouth tonight. While he recognises the significance of the competition, Dyche pointed out he faces a delicate balancing act with top-flight games coming thick and fast and several first-team players struggling with niggles.
Sean Dyche said: “Fans, players and everyone still want to do well in the FA Cup to try to win it and every team goes out with that intention, I’m sure of that,” he said. But it’s just a common sense moment when you go ‘what is the real goal?’ For Burnley, as a club and not just for me, then it is to be in the Premier League because it can continue the growth the club has had and to move forward. The kudos for a town like Burnley to have a Premier League club is very, very important. You want to do well in the cups and we still want to win a game like we did (in the last round) at Fulham, but you’ve got to balance that with the reality of the bigger challenge. It’s not always easy.”
They turn their attentions to a Bournemouth side who sit sixth in the Championship despite a recent losing run that led to Jason Tindall’s sacking after six months at the helm, with Jonathan Woodgate placed in temporary charge. The former Newcastle, Real Madrid and England defender has invited veteran manager Harry Redknapp to attend training, which Dyche believes is a shrewd move.
Sean Dyche said: “Harry’s a legendary figure around the game, a real character and he’s been terrific with me in the past. Down the years he’s always spoken well of me. It’s always been great to see him after games, I’ve picked his brain a couple of times. You build up a common bond with some of these managers and he’s someone I’ve always held in high regard; I still do. Now and again we get the chance to talk or bump into each other. If he is helping out there as suggested then why wouldn’t he with his experience?” Woodgate also revealed a special bond between himself and Dyche – a relationship first struck up while he was Middlesbrough boss. What he has done for Burnley is unbelievable but what he helped me with as a first-time manager was brilliant,” he said. “He was someone I could ring when I wanted to, he would text me and I would speak to him on the phone, so I thought ‘fair play to him for doing that’. He has done an unbelievable job at Burnley. Sometimes he gets criticised but he just carries on and keeps Burnley in the Premier League.”
