Keith Wyness reveals ‘whispers he’s heard’ on Sean Dyche returning to Burnley
Sean Dyche may return to Burnley for a second spell as manager if the club decide to sack Scott Parker.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who would “not be surprised” if Dyche was to return to Turf Moor.
Dyche had a successful spell at Burnley between 2012 and 2022, and is currently out of work having been sacked by Nottingham Forest.
Parker is coming under increasing pressure at the club due to their position in the Premier League relegation zone, and following a recent FA Cup defeat to League One Mansfield.
Burnley fans would ‘take Sean Dyche back willingly’
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Parker would not be the “worst option” if the club were to stick by the 45-year-old in the Championship.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness states that Burnley’s owners may not be fully focused on the club right now.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, the whispers I heard this morning was Sean Dyche going back to Burnley. And I think that that wouldn’t surprise me at all, actually, if that was to happen.
“I think Scott Parker’s done an admirable job. It’s very difficult circumstances with Burnley. They didn’t invest like Sunderland did in terms of when they came up. And I know that the owners have also bought a club in Spain, so maybe their focus is being slightly distorted.
“There are rumours of financial issues around the ownership at the moment, just rumours in the paper that I have yet to finalise or check out or verify. But still, I think the fans would take Dyche back willingly.
“I think he is what they need in terms of getting back up. But then again, if they stick with Scott Parker, to me, that’s not the worst option either. I think Scott’s shown he could do well.
“And I like Scott as a manager and I think at Burnley he could do a job of bringing them back up from the Championship and I think they’ve got to accept that’s what they’re looking at now is rebuilding for that Championship challenge.”
Surprise contenders emerge for Burnley job
Burnley will be looking for a coach with Championship experience next season, but both Steven Gerrard and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are in the running for the job.
Both managers are out of work, and could challenge Dyche for the role if Parker is sacked, with just 12 Premier League matches remaining.
Burnley are nine points from safety, and Parker’s side have only managed four wins on their return to the top flight.