Sean Dyche will invite former England head coach Eddie Jones to watch Everton training and speak to players… hoping to motivate the Toffees, having previously welcomed club hero Peter Reid
- Sean Dyche will invite former England rugby head coach Eddie Jones to Everton
- He will be invited to see the Toffees train and offer advice to Dyche’s players
- Dyche previously welcomed Everton legend Peter Reid to motivate the squad
Sean Dyche will invite Eddie Jones to spend a day at Everton’s training ground as he seeks to improve the culture and revive the club’s fortunes.
Ahead of Monday’s Merseyside Derby, Dyche welcomed in Everton great Peter Reid to Finch Farm and the dual league champion joined his old team-mate Graeme Sharp, who is now an ambassador, to watch training and speak to the current squad.
Dyche is determined to embrace Everton’s history and he will extend the offer to other club stalwarts such as Joe Royle and Brian Kidd in the future; just as intriguingly, though, he wants Jones, the former England rugby union coach, to come in and cast his eye over things.
The pair have a relationship that was formed at a Leaders in Sport conference. Dyche, who has had messages from NBA and NFL coaches since starting work 12 days ago, is seeking to find “golden nuggets” as he looks to steer Everton away from relegation.
‘If you are going to ask for feedback – get people in who will give you feedback,’ said Dyche, who fears main striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin may not be available for the clash at Anfield. ‘It’s not just football people; it’s business people, who I will ask to pop in.
Sean Dyche is inviting leaders in sport like Eddie Jones to offer feedback to his Everton players
Former England head coach Jones has a relationship with Dyche from a previous conference
‘It’s something I did at Burnley and I want to bring it in here, slowly but surely. It started with the lads who have played here. Reidy is someone I know but, as well as being a legend, he is also a fan. Behind that, over time, there will be other people, like Eddie, who will come in.
‘I want them to wander around and get a feel for it. I remember Tony Smith, the old Warrington Wolves coach, coming in at Burnley and saying to me: “I don’t know much about football but I know it is right here – I can smell it in the air.” That bit of feedback is crucial.’ Dyche, who will watch Leicester play Tottenham on Saturday, wants the current squad to appreciate the figures around the club who helped give Everton their reputation and brought success. He is adamant Reid and Sharp made a difference being around.
‘Hopefully Eddie Jones will come in. People I know in sport and business, just to get ideas. It is never wrong to speak to Peter Reid. If anyone asks who is that little fella there I will say he had a heart as big as a bison – and he could play.’
Everton legend Peter Reid is among the other names invited to watch the Toffees in training