Everton are returning for Sean Dyche’s first pre-season in charge later this week as the Blues boss looks to improve upon the narrow escape from relegation in 2022/23.
The team were joint bottom of the Premier League when the former long-serving Burnley gaffer took charge at the end of January but Dyche successfully steered them to safety as they secured the victory they needed to stay up on the final day thanks to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s spectacular strike against Bournemouth. Despite narrowly avoiding their first relegation in 72 years, it was still the lowest equivalent points total in Everton’s 135-year history in the Football League/Premier League and everyone at the club realises there must be major improvements in the months ahead.
Speaking in his post-match press conference after beating the Cherries, Dyche said: “Work on next season started the day I got in here. Don’t think I thought this was an easy fix because it is not, far from it. There is a massive amount of work to be done. The thing I've learned about Everton is the fans have been amazing, they want the club to be in the top end of the market but the club currently is not at the top end of the market.
