Nottingham Forest have already seen reports touting Ange Postecoglou with the exit door after a poor start to his City Ground career.
The Greek-Australian boss has yet to win in seven games, only drawing two of those against newly-promoted Burnley as well as Real Betis in the Europa League.
Their run of poor form has seen Sean Dyche linked with the role, almost a year out of a job when he left Everton after being sacked shortly after the New Year.
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If Forest do appoint the former Burnley boss, he will have the January window to bring in any signings, depending on where Forest are in Europe as well as the Premier League table.
And that could see Dwight McNeil join the club if Dyche sees fit to, having had the winger at both of his Premier League managerial jobs.
Dwight McNeil of Everton FC gestures during the Premier League Summer Series match against Manchester United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Photo by AJ Reynolds/Getty Images
Sean Dyche has relied on ‘terrific’ Dwight McNeil heavily at both Everton and Burnley
McNeil signed for Burnley in 2014 after being released by Manchester United at the age of 15, and his progression through the ranks at Turf Moor saw Dyche gave him his first-team debut.
Making his debut at the age of 18, McNeil quickly became a star for the Clarets, helping them stay up before being a first-team regular for four seasons. Their relegation saw him move to Everton under Frank Lampard, but it wasn’t long before Dyche came back in.
The Toffees featured him in 71 of their 76 games in the first two Premier League seasons after signing, as well as 21 top-flight appearances last season after an injury bout – his first one of his professional career.
Season Appearances Goals
2017-18 (Burnley) 1 0
2018-19 (Burnley) 21 3
2019-20 (Burnley) 38 2
2020-21 (Burnley) 36 2
2021-22 (Burnley) 38 0
2022-23 (Everton) 36 7
2023-24 (Everton) 35 3
2024-25 (Everton) 21 4
2025-26 (Everton) 1 0
Dwight McNeil’s Premier League tally for Everton and Burnley
All in all, McNeil has made the majority of his 227 Premier League outings under Dyche, and it’s clear to see the boss likes him, even calling him ‘terrific’ whilst at Goodison Park. Dyche said: “I think the early part of his Everton career there were a few question marks.
“Since I’ve been here he’s been terrific.
“His work ethic, we do ask a lot of all our players, particularly our wide players, so his work ethic for the team and I know he’s got ability.”
If Forest are still struggling towards the bottom of the league and Dyche comes in, McNeil would be a vital asset to help them stay up. He was in Burnley’s relegated team in the 2021/22 season, but a large part of that was down to the Clarets’ lack of spending over the years due to a change in ownership.
And, having helped Everton in their points deduction battle, the Rochdale-born star knows exactly how to deal with relegation battles, as such. With a lack of minutes behind Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye in the starting XI at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Dyche and McNeil could continue their almost decade-long partnership in the East Midlands should the 54-year-old boss get the gig.
Sean Dyche manages Everton in his final game before being sacked
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Dwight McNeil would start ahead of Callum Hudson-Odoi at Nottingham Forest
Of course, a point could be made that McNeil wouldn’t get into Forest’s team.
The Tricky Trees have Callum Hudson-Odoi as their starting left winger, whilst Dan Ndoye, Omari Hutchinson, James McAtee and Dilane Bakwa are all able to play out wide. That is a serious amount of talent, and McNeil’s lack of games this season means he’s not entirely match fit.
Just one Premier League appearance in the 2-0 win over Brighton in August, as well as appearances in both League Cup games, means he’s down the pecking order and lacking game time.
However, one key aspect he has over Forest’s cohort of wingers is his suitability to Dyche’s rigid 4-4-2 system.
McNeil has been noted for tracking back, with a superb ability to cross – and unsurprisingly, he got Chris Wood firing at Burnley with his deliveries which kept the club in the Premier League for a long time.
Having spent so long under Dyche, his ethos will be ingrained into McNeil, and any adaptability will not be needed from the get go, where he could be key to any survival hopes.