Lincoln boss Danny Cowley hails Burnley's Sean Dyche as best English manager

16 February 2017 16:39

Lincoln boss Danny Cowley believes he will face one of the best English managers when he sits in the opposing dugout to Burnley's Sean Dyche.

Cowley, whose National League leaders face Dyche's Premier League side in the FA Cup fifth round at Turf Moor on Saturday, regards the Clarets manager and Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe as pick of the current crop when it comes to Englishmen in charge at Premier League clubs.

A look at their recent records makes it hard to argue. Dyche got Burnley promoted last season and another top flight campaign looks assured with the Clarets currently 12th in the table and 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Howe has done similar things at Bournemouth, getting them promoted to the Premier League in 2015 and keeping them up last season. The Cherries are presently 14th in the table and six points above the bottom three.

Cowley thinks both men do not get the credit they deserve for the jobs they are doing and would like to see English managers get more of an opportunity in the Premier League.

''For me, Sean Dyche and Eddie Howe are the two best English managers,'' said Cowley.

''For what they are doing with their clubs, they deserve a huge amount of respect. They certainly set the standard for England managers.

''If I'm being honest, I don't think English managers get enough opportunity. We are far too quick, particularly in the Premier League, to appoint managers from different countries.

''Of course, we want the best managers, like we want the best players, and foreign managers and players have brought so much to our game.

"But there are certain English players and managers who could do just as good a job and I'm sure if they were given more opportunity, they would be able to show that.''

Cowley, who 12 months ago was still a full-time PE teacher while also managing Braintree, aspires to be like Dyche and Howe.

"They are the blueprint for me," said the 38-year-old. "I've learned so much watching Burnley recently, I've seen six of their games. I would like us to be as well organised with and without the ball as Burnley are."

Source: PA