Sean Dyche has had his doubters during his time in charge of Burnley but he continues to keep delivering the goods for the Lancashire outfit. The 48-year-old is approaching his seventh anniversary in charge of the Clarets, having been thrust into the role when Eddie Howe departed to rejoin Bournemouth in late October 2012.
Within the first year of his appointment, Dyche led Burnley to their best start to a season since they were founded in 1882 and was deservedly named Championship manager of the month for September 2013.
Having built up a strong squad, Dyche ended the club’s four-year absence from the Premier League with automatic promotion at the end of the 2013-14 season.
Despite their top-flight adventure lasting just one season, the club’s board stuck with the former Watford boss and were rewarded for their loyalty because Dyche has worked wonders since.
The Clarets recovered from a relegation hangover and stormed to the Championship title in 2015-16, ensuring they were back in the Premier League at the first time of asking.
And, having learnt lessons from their short-lived previous flirtation at the top table of English football, Dyche guided Burnley to a 16th place finish – six points clear of relegated Hull City.
Dyche excelled himself further in the second season as Burnley finished in a lofty seventh position to secure European football for the first time for over half a century at Turf Moor.
His success caught up with him last season as the Europa League adventure failed to get beyond the play-off round as Burnley went out against Olympiakos.
The strain on the squad because of the early start to the season and extra games added to the fixture list also took their toll on the players and it looked like Burnley would be battling against relegation.
But again Dyche managed to find a solution to their problems and turned things around in the New Year as they eventually finished 15th with 40 points on the board.
There has been talk of a possible struggle for Burnley this season, but they would be sitting third on six points from three games were it not for a controversial VAR-awarded penalty handed to Wolves in stoppage time on Sunday.
Despite the “bitter pill” as Dyche described it, a point at Molineux on top of a 3-0 win against Southampton and an impressive display in defeat at Arsenal points to another solid season of progress at Turf Moor.
Dyche’s current contract is due to expire in summer 2022, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if another extension is forthcoming at some point this term.
