Sean Dyche refuses to rule himself out of running for Leicester job to replace Craig Shakespeare
The Burnley boss says "what will be will be" but for now his focus remains on the Clarets and finding a way to stop Manchester City this weekend
SEAN DYCHE has refused to rule himself out of the running for the Leicester job, after he was installed as one of the favourites to replace the sacked Craig Shakespeare.
The Burnley boss sidestepped questions about where he was interested in taking charge of the 2016 Premier League champions, saying he would not answer “hypotheticals”
But when he was asked point blank if he wanted to end the speculation by declaring he had no interest in moving to Leicester, Dyche shied away.
He commented: “I don’t need to do that, because I’ve been here five years, and I’ve had this conversation maybe ten times over the last couple of years.
“I just get on with it, and whatever will be, will be. It’s questions about a story that is completely out of my hands.
“First of all, I don’t want any manager to lose their job. It’s not the first time I’ve been linked – and in a way, you’re flattered because it’s some form of recognition. But I’m not aware of any approach from anyone in my time here.
“I’m still here after five years, but that doesn’t guarantee anything. One day it will change, in my control or out of my control. It’s the nature of football.
"I don’t overthink all of that stuff. The lifespan of a manager is getting shorter. What can you do about that? Work hard, try and make as many good decision as you can to make it longer.
“The worst thing about what we do is sometimes a scratch of luck can change the outcome for a manager, and that can be brutal. I think your ego has to be intact. Mine is. This is the law of the jungle. It’s how it is.”
Dyche said his only concern at the moment is finding a way to stop all-conquering Manchester City at the Eithad Stadium on Saturday.
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At least the Clarets should not suffer the same fate as Stoke – who were walloped 7-2 by City last weekend – if they show the defensive resilience which has been their trademark in four away matches so far in the Premier League.
Burnley remain unbeaten on their travels, and they have taken eight points from their visits to Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton. That is one more than they managed in the whole of last season.
Yet they have faced more shots than any away team in Europe’s top five leagues - 107 so far.
But only about one in five of those shots has reached their keeper, as Burnley boast three of the men with most top flight blocks this season in James Tarkowski (1st – 16), Ben Mee (2nd -15) and Jack Cork (4th – 12).
Dyche added: “That is probably a reflection of the guys’ bravery. It’s something we have never been short of here.”
