Everton goalkeeper shares dressing room verdict on Sean Dyche methods and Friedkin takeover
EXCLUSIVE: Chris Beesley speaks to Asmir Begovic about the Everton takeover, Sean Dyche’s managerial style and the prospect of the goalkeeper playing another game at Goodison Park as Asmir Begovic spoke exclusively to ECHO Everton reporter Chris Beesley about the club’s takeover deal, Sean Dyche’s methods and the prospect of another Goodison Park game
Asmir Begovic spoke exclusively to ECHO Everton reporter Chris Beesley about the club’s takeover deal, Sean Dyche’s methods and the prospect of another Goodison Park game
While playing for Queens Park Rangers last season, Asmir Begovic had to watch on as his former Everton team-mates suffered two separate points deductions but having overcome that adversity, the goalkeeper – now enjoying a second stint with the Blues – has backed them to provide a fitting send off in Goodison Park’s final season. Everton suffered an unprecedented brace of sporting sanctions last term, totalling eight deducted points, but still secured Premier League survival before the final month of the campaign for the first time since 2021, finishing with five consecutive home wins, including a first Merseyside Derby victory at Goodison Park for 13-and-a-half years, and without their punishments would have finished level on points with 11th placed Brighton & Hove Albion.
Despite enduring a club record winless run in the Premier League, manager Sean Dyche praised his squad for not “going under” in the circumstances and Begovic believes such character is indicative of the club. He told the ECHO “I think that’s the kind of culture that Everton are known for.
“It’s also something that the manager stands for and the character that he wants his team to have. To be a top-level team, you need to be one that deals with the kind of setbacks you experience over a football season, because nothing is ever going to be perfect.
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“I think we’ve got a really good, resilient group. That character speaks for itself and has done over the last few years and that is also something that is definitely important to keep hold of all across the club and also going forward.”
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Begovic is now playing under Dyche for a second time and he believes the methods of Everton’s eighth manager in as many years are appreciated by many of his fellow professionals. He said: “Sean Dyche is a top manager. He’s worked in the Premier League for such a long time so I think that shows his level.
“He’s super-consistent with his work and what he expects of the players. That’s something that a lot of players can really buy into.
“He uses consistent messaging, has a really solid way of working when it comes to the baseline of work. I think a lot of people take to that and that has helped give him success over many years.”
Although understudy to Jordan Pickford, Begovic got to play 10 matches for Everton in his first spell at the club. He hasn’t turned out at Goodison Park since he kept a clean sheet in the 1-0 win over West Ham United on September 18, 2022, but the 37-year-old remains open-minded about his chances of playing again at ‘The Grand Old Lady’ in her final season.
Begovic said: “It really is part of history. There’s no getting away from it.
“The club is very connected to the fanbase and what it means to the city with the Evertonians all around the place. We want to try and make it a good season and one to remember.
“If we can have a good season in the Premier League, I think that would be a fitting way to see off Goodison and make the move into the new stadium, which looks incredible.
“If that happens (playing again), then great. The most important thing is that we do the right thing as a club and as a team to give the Evertonians a really good season.
“We want to give the respect to Goodison that it deserves. If I get to play one more time, for sure, that would be nice, but I never take it for granted and as a collective group, it’s about doing the right thing.”
Although Begovic was born in the Trebinje, Yugoslavia (now the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina), after initially fleeing to Germany due to the war in his homeland, his formative years from the age of 10 were spent in North America as his family settled in the Canadian city of Edmonton. Everton getting new owners from the neighbouring US is therefore an intriguing prospect, but the goalkeeper just wants the Friedkin Group to bring an end to several years of uncertainty.
Begovic said: “No matter what the origin of the owner is, I think it’s about bringing in the best interests and stability to the football club, hopefully this will all work out for the best. We (players) don’t know much about the details and just focus on our role but hope that everything works out the absolute best for everyone involved.”
Although goalkeepers can often play on longer than their outfield counterparts, with outside interests including both his academy and media appearances, Begovic acknowledges that future plans remain on his mind but he has nothing set in stone. He said: “There’s naturally some thinking about it. There are going to be different options when that time comes but we’ll have to wait and see.
“I’ve very much learned in football, if you’re associated with the game in any shape or form, I don’t think it’s too wise to look too far ahead. I’m really enjoying my situation at the moment in terms of training and pushing these lads in the group and that’s my main focus so I’m sure the future will take care of itself.”
Everton have teamed up with the Asmir Begovic Academy to host a Goalkeeper Experience at Finch Farm for young fans. The three-hour experience, led by the Blues’ ace and a team of fully qualified Everton coaches, will take place at the club’s training facility on Friday November 1 (10am-1pm) and is open to children aged 6-14.The Goalkeeper Experience aims to provide young, ambitious, and committed goalkeepers with an environment where they can enhance their skills and maximise their individual development. All sessions will focus on a combination of individual and group work, as well as developing and strengthening fundamental goalkeeping techniques.All attendees will receive an Everton certificate, medal, signed photo and a pair of Asmir Begovic gloves. Find out more and sign up HERE For more information about other Everton’s International Soccer Camps and Soccer Schools, click HERE
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