Sean Dyche 'sparks row with Everton players' after playful slap backfired during Portugal training camp

16/03/2024 15:32

Everton manager Sean Dyche unwittingly caused a bit of a scene with his players in the middle of a restaurant this week, according to reports.

The Toffees are currently enjoying a break from Premier League action in a warm-weather training camp in Portugal, with the team not in action until March 30.

The Everton stars have been keeping fit with training drills and practice games, as well as enjoying bonding meals together in a positive week for the Merseyside club.

But it appears one of their team dinners during their stay descended into minor chaos after Dyche playfully smacked one of his players over the head.

According to the Daily Mail, the boss gave 22-year-old defender Nathan Patterson a clip round the ear in jest.

However, it's claimed he hit him harder than he probably intended, leading to a reaction from 'several players' around the table.

Patterson apparently wasn't happy, and the reaction from some of the other stars meant club captain James Tarkowski, who also played under Dyche at Burnley, stepped in to help calm everything down.

Dyche is then said to have said sorry for his heavy-handedness, with Everton sources insisting it was not a major bust-up and merely a 'storm in a teacup'.

While Dyche’s harmless but clumsy joke appeared to backfire, it didn't spoil the rest of their trip, with the squad training normally on Thursday and Friday before flying home.

Everton insist it has been a 'positive week' for the team amid a nightmare season on and off the field.

Dyche's men are currently on a run of 11 league games without a victory, and sit 16th in the Premier League table after being deducted six points – reduced from their initial punishment of ten after breaking profit and sustainability rules.

The club could also be hit with a further points penalty before the end of the season after being charged with a second financial breach.

Everton last took to their field on March 9, losing 2-0 to Manchester United, and don’t play again until their Premier League clash against Bournemouth in two weeks’ time. 

That's because their Merseyside showdown with Liverpool was postponed due to the Reds’ FA Cup quarter-final tie with Man United this weekend, with the date for the derby still unknown.