by Sean Dyche has said he cannot focus on his Everton future while dealing with a “volatile situation on and off the pitch” after the club distanced themselves from comments made by potential new owner John Textor.
Everton travel to bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa on Saturday after losing their first three Premier League games. During the international break, attention has focused on the potential acquisition of Textor, which they are confident they can complete before the November 30 deadline.
Related: Buying Everton is like becoming president of the United States, says John Textor on takeover
The American businessman is the fifth bidder to be granted an exclusivity period by Everton owner Blue Heaven Holdings and he spoke to Sky Sports about the progress of the deal and the future of Dyche, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
“The last thing I would think about if I was talking to a new owner – if there was a new owner – would be my contract,” Dyche said. “That will be sorted out one way or another. That’s the other side of it. They want to know what’s going on, where we are. My contract is the least of my worries at the moment. My first concern is that the team wins football games.”
Textor suggested sitting down with Dyche and asking him if he would be willing to work with players recommended by the American and whether he could adapt to coaching players like Botafogo’s Igor Jesus or Luis Henrique. Textor played down rumours that he had hired Palmeiras’ Abel Ferreira to replace Dyche.
“It’s the norm,” Dyche said. “In 10 years as a manager, if you think I’ve never been down that path before, you’d be wrong. Even at Burnley they were talking about it. [other] managers for years.
“This club has had eight or nine years of this kind of thing. [happening] “Every 12 or 18 months, there’s noise generated by bad results or by the feeling that something needs to change. You ask yourself why: ‘I don’t know, that’s just the way it is.’ I’ve never cared. Period. I just keep working and face the facts.”
Everton interim chief executive Colin Chong said of Textor’s comments: “While positive conversations and progress continue to be made with Mr Textor to formalise any agreement with him, there remains work to be done to complete the transaction.
“Accordingly, Mr. Textor’s comments represent only his personal views on club affairs. Everyone at the club remains focused on providing the best possible support to Sean and the team as we approach this weekend’s match.”
