Nigeria’s Olympic silver medalist disappointed Everton did not sack Sean Dyche for Graham Potter

Former Everton and Super Eagles striker, Victor Anichebe, is convinced that the club should have parted ways with manager Sean Dyche during the summer and appointed Graham Potter as his successor, Soccernet.ng reports. 

Anichebe’s remarks came in response to Everton’s Instagram post following their disappointing 4-0 defeat at Villa Park at the weekend.

The defeat at Villa Park was a lackluster showing from Sean Dyche’s side, characterised by a toothless attack and a defensively error-prone display. To compound matters, both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Alex Iwobi had to be withdrawn due to injury.

Despite Dyche being at the helm for only eight months, Anichebe contends that Everton should have pursued Potter once Premier League safety was assured at the end of last season.

Anichebe remarked, “I said last season when the club stayed up, big changes were needed.

“Personally, I would’ve been extremely grateful to Dyche and thanked him for keeping the club up, but I would’ve gone for Potter as the club needs a mentality shift and to breed through academy players.”

Graham Potter, who had a successful stint as manager at Brighton & Hove Albion, earned acclaim for his exciting and attacking style of football, even while working with a modest transfer budget.

Notably, his management drew praise from top-tier figures like Pep Guardiola, who referred to him as a ‘big fan.’

Potter’s progressive approach led to Chelsea appointing him as the successor to Champions League-winning manager Thomas Tuchel, although his tenure at Stamford Bridge lasted only six months.

With Potter presently without a managerial role, Anichebe believes that appointing a forward-thinking coach like the former Swansea City boss could have given Everton an identity they currently lack.

Anichebe added, “Even the poor teams in the Premier League have strengthened, have an identity and are spending. What about Everton? Nada. No strategy, no leadership…”

After two rounds of matches in the English Premier League, Everton find themselves at the bottom of the table, alongside Burnley, as the only two clubs yet to score a goal.

Despite the lack of goals, they have conceded five goals in these two matches.