Sean Dyche has all but ruled himself out of contention to take over from the under-fire Ruud van Nistelrooy at Leicester City.
The experienced English coach has been without a club since his dismissal by Everton in January following a poor run of form—just one win in 11 Premier League matches. His successor, David Moyes, has since stabilized the team and ensured safety from relegation.
With Leicester’s demotion to the Championship confirmed, Van Nistelrooy’s future is uncertain. The Dutchman has faced the brunt of the criticism for the club’s failure to remain in the Premier League.
Dyche Plays Down Leicester Talk
Dyche, known for his ability to rescue struggling top-flight teams, last managed in the Championship during the 2015–16 season, when he guided Burnley to the title with 93 points. Since then, he hasn’t returned to second-tier football, and that could weigh into any decision about his next move.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Stick to Football, Dyche addressed speculation over a potential move to Leicester:
“Not at the moment. The timing is wrong anyway. Not my timing, but clubs are figuring things out. I got a couple of offers straight away and turned them down. I said, ‘No, that’s not for me right now.’ You never say never.”
Dyche also reflected on his time away from football before joining Everton:
“I was enjoying life, doing media and charity work, then the Everton job came up. You either get that feeling—like a spark—or you don’t. It’s not always a clear-cut moment.”
Other Options for the Foxes
Should Leicester part ways with Van Nistelrooy this summer, they have other candidates reportedly under consideration. Gary O’Neil, formerly of Wolves, and Russell Martin, the ex-Southampton boss, are both believed to be on the club’s radar.
Dyche Eyes Premier League Return – On His Own Terms
Dyche hinted that his managerial profile aligns more with clubs battling relegation in the Premier League, using his Everton tenure as an example:
“They said: ‘Can you keep us in the Premier League and the money flowing?’ That was the mission, and I was up for it.”
He added:
“If that’s the job, I’ll give it everything. I won’t promise success, but I’ll get a grip on it. I don’t mind being the ‘clean-up guy’ before someone more fashionable takes over. That’s fine with me.”
With the relegation fight settled for this season, it’s unlikely Dyche will be stepping into a top-flight job right away. However, he remains a strong candidate for any Premier League club under pressure in the 2025–26 campaign.
