Liam Cooper thrived under Bielsa (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Liam Cooper thrived under Bielsa (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Pundit makes 'crazy' Marcelo Bielsa claim after latest Everton twist

Connor Humm

A broadcast journalism masters graduate from Salford University, Connor has worked for Breaking Media since April 2024. He is Social Media Director and responsible for overseeing Football Insider's Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, Threads and WhatsApp pages. Connor bleeds red-and-white, and is an avid Arsenal supporter who covered the club's 2025 pre-season Asia tour for Football Insider's social team.

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Alan Hutton has claimed Everton dodged a bullet by appointing Sean Dyche over Marcelo Bielsa.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Tottenham and Aston Villa defender said that choosing Bielsa as their manager would have been more of a risk for the Toffees.

As relayed by The Athletic (27 January), Bielsa wanted to take charge of Everton's under-21 team until the end of the season when he would begin with the first team.

The 67-year-old wanted time to prepare with the first team before next season in order to implement his style and methods.

Dyche was announced as the new manager on Monday (30 January) and won his first game in charge against league leaders Arsenal on Saturday (4 February).

When asked if the Toffees could regret not taking up Bielsa's offer, Hutton told Football Insider: "I had never heard of something like that before.

"Either you go in and manage the team or you do not. It is a bit strange.

"I think with Bielsa he needs time, if it was the start of the season and he could get his own players in. It is kind of crazy sometimes the way he plays.

"I think it is very difficult to come in mid-season, in a relegation battle and get that point across. Of course it could have worked but that was more of a risk.

"Sean Dyche has been there, done it, bought the t-shirt. He knows what it is all about, he knows how to get the best out of players. I think he could be the man to keep them up and build on that next year."

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