Tottenham front-runner Sean Dyche sent Ange Postecoglou invitation after honest comment
Sean Dyche has emerged as favourite for the Tottenham job after being sacked by Nottingham Forest, where he previously took over from ex-Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou
As Sean Dyche continues to be heavily linked with the Tottenham Hotspur manager's position, the Englishman's previous encounters with the London club have come back into focus. Dyche was dismissed by Nottingham Forest in February but has been identified as a possible contender to succeed Igor Tudor in north London should Spurs' hierarchy determine another managerial switch is required.
It would mark a fourth Premier League managerial appointment for Dyche, who previously spent time in charge of Burnley and Everton before his brief period at the City Ground. While in charge at Everton, he made an unusual proposal to Spurs' then-boss Ange Postecoglou ahead of a fixture between the two clubs.
"[He is] my type of guy. Maybe we can crack a cold one open," said Dyche ahead of that December 2023 meeting. Managers sharing a drink after locking horns is nothing new, with former Manchester United chief Sir Alex Ferguson often inviting rivals in for a glass of wine, though this was a slight departure from Ferguson's tradition.
"I don't know [Postecoglou] but I like what I've heard, and the way he's speaking very honestly, he recently said that he wants to win," Dyche continued. "He said he doesn't want to be known for how he plays, he wants to be known to win.
"I'm refreshed by that attitude for sure. That seems to be my type of guy."
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OPINION
At the time of the invitation for a beer, Postecoglou's Spurs were positioned just beyond the Premier League's top four and returned there with victory over Dyche's Everton. Two early strikes proved sufficient, with Richarlison and Son Heung-min finding the net before Andre Gomes netted a late consolation.
Spurs would finish the campaign in fifth place, though, falling two points short of Champions League qualification. They secured Champions League qualification under Postecoglou the next season thanks to a Europa League triumph but the Australian was gone before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
Thomas Frank took his place and posted impressive results in Europe but was axed due to disappointing domestic form. His replacement Tudor has failed to spark a revival, with four losses across all competitions leaving them a single point above the relegation places and on the verge of elimination from Europe following a 5-2 humiliation at Atletico Madrid.
Dyche built his standing as a survival specialist when he kept Everton up in 2023 and recorded more victories than defeats with Forest, where he just so happened to succeed none other than Postecoglou. Despite lifting the Nottingham side clear of the bottom three, he was dismissed in February after missing a golden opportunity for three points at home to Wolves.
Should Spurs opt to delay until after this weekend's clash with Liverpool before dismissing Tudor and bringing in Dyche, the latter would face his previous employers in his opening league fixture. Spurs and Forest are separated by a single point heading into this weekend, both positioned just above 18th-placed West Ham.