Everton point deduction has 'delayed' contract talks for Sean Dyche - reports

Contract talks with Sean Dyche have reportedly been delayed by Everton's 10-point deduction, according to the Daily Mail.

Dyche arrived in late-January and helped Everton to avoid relegation thanks to a final day victory over AFC Bournemouth and had built a strong run of form with six wins in nine games before the weekend defeat to Manchester United.

Of course, the 10-point deduction has eradicated that brilliant form - at least in terms of the league table - and they now sit 19th with four points.

Their punishment will certainly have a huge impact on the club, both on and off-the-pitch, and it seems that has now delayed contract talks with Dyche.

Sami Mokel of the Daily Mail has revealed an exclusive that Everton intend to discuss a contract extension with Dyche - but the uncertainty caused by their 10-point deduction has delayed formal talks.

The current Toffees regime are keen to discuss the prospect of a longer contract with Dyche, who has just 18 months left to run on his current deal. And there is a feeling behind the scenes at Goodison Park that Dyche should remain central to a new era at the club as they prepare to move to a new stadium within the next two years.

There is also the prospective takeover of the club by the Miami-based investment firm 777 Partners to factor into the equation, as well as the stadium and points penalty which makes the whole situation a difficult one.

Everton have failed to find any success with any of their recent managers apart from Carlo Ancelotti; his eighth placed finish in the 2020/21 season certainly seems like a long time ago now as they stare down the barrel of potentially a third straight relegation battle.

But, for now, the focus is on rebuilding their points total and if they can continue in the same vein of form they showed before the United game, they should be able to find their way to safety once again.