Sean Dyche has finally addressed the viral ‘Utter Woke Nonsense’ meme that has often been associated with him, shedding light on how he views both the joke and the criticisms of his management style.
Known for his pragmatic and direct approach to football, Dyche has been both praised and criticized for his “old-fashioned” methods, which have sparked this infamous meme.
Dyche’s Views on the Meme
The former Everton and Burnley manager, who was sacked by Everton in January, has long been at the center of debate over his playing style.
The meme in question, featuring a stone-faced Dyche with the words ‘Utter Woke Nonsense’, gained popularity as a humorous critique of modern football.
Typically, the meme is used by fans when expressing their disapproval of contemporary trends in the sport.
Dyche, who appeared on The Rest Is Football podcast with Gary Lineker, acknowledged that his personal views on modern society align closely with the essence of the meme.
He shared, “Once you’re in that box, what’s the point of fighting it? There’s no point in fighting it, it’s just life.”
Dyche admitted that while he holds strong opinions about the direction of modern football and society, he doesn’t mind the meme or the box he’s been placed in.
A Look Back at Dyche’s Time in Football
Despite his controversial style, Dyche has had an impressive career, especially during his tenure at Burnley.
Over a decade with the club, he led Burnley to two promotions to the Premier League and kept them in the top flight for six seasons, even guiding them to Europa League football in 2018. His approach, often criticized for being direct and “unattractive,” proved to be effective in keeping the club competitive on a relatively small budget.
Dyche reflected on his time at Burnley, highlighting his focus on developing both players and teams that could consistently win. “
All I try and do is develop players and develop teams that can win,” he said, explaining the differences in his approach between Burnley and Everton.
While his stint at Everton was less successful, Dyche remains proud of his achievements at Burnley, noting that the club’s financial growth under his leadership was significant.
Financial Success Despite Criticisms
Dyche also pointed out the financial success his methods brought to Burnley, despite ongoing criticisms.
During his first year at Burnley, the club had a wage bill of £13 million, which he reduced to £9 million the following season.
By the end of his tenure, Dyche helped bring in over £1 billion to the club. “People say ‘you don’t play the right way’ and I’m like, ‘really? I brought in £1 billion,'” Dyche remarked.
This financial success, along with the club’s promotion to the Premier League and subsequent survival, speaks volumes about the effectiveness of his strategy, even if it wasn’t always aesthetically pleasing to the critics.
Reflecting on the Job From Within
Dyche also reflected on the judgment that comes from inside the job itself, not just from the media and fans.
He described the challenges of managing a club like Burnley with a limited budget and resources, emphasizing that the results and financial benefits of his approach speak for themselves.
Looking back, Dyche remains proud of what he accomplished during his time in charge, stating that his efforts were about much more than just on-field tactics.
He was also building a sustainable club, which he believes is often overlooked when discussing his managerial legacy.
For more insights into Dyche’s career and his thoughts on modern football, check out his full interview on The Rest Is Football podcast.