Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton believes Burnley boss Sean Dyche has rivalled the achievements that Pep Guardiola has managed at Premier League champions Manchester City this season.
The Clarets have enjoyed an impressive campaign leading into this afternoon’s meeting with the Seagulls at Turf Moor, and Hughton singled out the fine jobs carried out by two of his managerial counterparts.
He said, “On the whole package, what Manchester City have done, and the way they’ve played, has taken the majority of the plaudits, and rightly so.
“If Liverpool end up winning the Champions League, then that possibly changes, but if I’m looking now, it’s right that they’ve got a lot of the plaudits.
“But I think the job that Sean [Dyche] has done equals the achievements of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.”
Burnley find themselves in seventh position with just three league games remaining, and although Hughton showed his respect for those sides higher in the league table, he admitted his focus is on remaining in the Premier League.
“The top six are so entrenched at this moment, maybe with the exception of Everton, who are usually around sixth or seventh.
“It’s really about who’s top of the next [category] and that’s seventh place. Burnley have done it, and if they finish in seventh place, they will have deserved it.
“That would be on the back of an outstanding season. But it’s very difficult to replicate and continue that - so for Burnley to do it, would be a huge achievement.
“This is our first season and we still have to make sure we stay in this division, but there are a group of clubs that are in pole position to have the best go [at finishing seventh].”
Hughton also commented on the competitive nature of football management, and although he’d liked to see managers keep their jobs for longer, he doesn’t see things changing any time soon.
“Every manager that you speak to would say about longevity and giving managers longer periods, to try and stop this sacking policy when things aren’t going so well.
“But I don't think it will change - it’s the game now. It’s the pressure of the game and what clubs are under. Also the change in ownership at football clubs means they want instant results.
“Every manager would say that because it’s our job and you want to be in a role for as long as possible, and you want to be able to ride the difficult times and secure better times.
“But it won’t change and it’s just the way that the game has gone now.”
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