The coverage of Sean Dyche’s situation at Everton is stunningly hypocritical, especially as many are tipping David Moyes as his replacement.
Just a few months ago, pundits such as Paul Merson, Alan Shearer, Jeff Stelling and others were convinced that it was disrespectful to even suggest replacing Moyes. Former Sky presenter Richard Keys went so far as to call West Ham director of football Tim Steidten a “sneaky weasel” for trying to get a new manager after Moyes turned down a slightly reduced role as head coach.
West Ham fans were warned to be careful what they wished for and condescendingly preached to them about respect and decency with the words “be careful what you wish for brigade”.
So I find the coverage of Sean Dyche’s situation at Everton shocking, especially as many of the same voices are now claiming that Moyes is perfect for the job.
Sources close to Moyes have suggested he has left his flat in Canary Wharf to return to his spiritual home in the North West and become “available”.
The respect demanded of Moyes does not appear to be extended to Dyche, who managed to keep Everton from relegation last season despite their points deduction.
As if the double standards couldn’t be more obvious, the usually likable Jeff Stelling added fuel to the fire when he defended himself against allegations of his “beef feud” with West Ham fans. Stelling, like many other Moyes fans, has struggled with unbiased coverage of West Ham since the Scot left east London. TalkSport co-host Shebahn Aherne even confronted him, to which Stelling bluntly replied: “It’s just David Moyes’ support. I think most people in football thought he did a good job.
That’s right – with many pundits loyal to Moyes, they criticize West Ham for wanting better. Like his former colleague Paul Merson, who once said: “Lopetegui could have stayed at West Ham for 25 years and won nothing”, Stelling has allowed his personal feelings to cloud his judgment and reporting.
But let’s not forget poor old Sean Dyche who doesn’t enjoy the same media coverage as Moyes. On the Scot’s likely return to football, Stelling remarked: “I think [Moyes] will be back to football soon.”
Blink, blink, push, push. We all know what that insinuation meant – apparently it’s fine as long as it’s Moyes who gets the job.