Sean Dyche has admitted there is a senior player at Everton who has a really strange relationship with the supporters.
Former Everton manager Sean Dyche is a man in the news this week, as he’s replaced Ange Postecoglou at Nottingham Forest.
It’s Dyche’s first job since leaving the Toffees in January, and he actually has Europa League football to play, so it’s an attractive one despite Forest’s struggles in the Premier League so far.
The 54-year-old actually appeared on The Managers Youtube channel this week and discussed one of his former players amidst the developments with Forest.
Everton defender Michael Keane.
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Sean Dyche finds Michael Keane’s relationship with Everton fans quite strange
Speaking on Tony Pulis and Mick McCarthy’s podcast, Dyche heaped praise on Everton defender Michael Keane, labelling him a top professional.
He admitted he finds his relationship with the supporters quite strange.
“Even ones who are not team were giving great value Michael Keane, he’s got a funny relationship with the Everton fans,” Dyche explained.
“(He’s) doing terrifically now, he’s back in the team, what a pro.”
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Michael Keane says he’s seen a change in how he’s perceived among Everton fans
Keane spoke to Everton’s website earlier this month and admitted that he has read a lot of the positive messages from supporters on social media recently.
“I don’t see it all, but I’ve been told about it, and I see little bits of it,” the 32-year-old said.
“It’s nice. To have the fans on my side and backing me is a really good feeling and it makes me want to do well for them even more.
“I know there’s been bad times in the past, so if I can perform well enough to maybe change their opinions on me, then great, but either way I don’t really let it affect how I go about my business day to day and how I train and how I approach games.
“My goal is to do the best I can to make it really hard for the manager to take me out of the team.”
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“But if they can support me like they have done, then I’m really appreciative of that. I just want to repay them and keep putting in good performances.”
With Jarrad Branthwaite suffering an injury setback, Keane is expected to retain his place in the starting line-up, which, from where he was previously, is pretty remarkable.
Keane was on the verge of leaving upon the expiry of his contract in the summer.