Clarke Carlisle: Dyche missed a golden opportunity snubbing Rangers job | OneFootball

Former Premier League defender and member of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award judging panel Clarke Carlisle, has showered praise on ex-Burnley manager Sean Dyche, claiming a man of his calibre could have done great things at Rangers should he have taken the job, viewing it as a missed opportunity.

“Sean Dyche has missed a trick not going up to Rangers and taking that opportunity,” he said. “It’s a salvageable position and an opportunity to put your club in a country’s folklore, Steven Gerrard did that.

“Dyche would’ve suited Scottish football perfectly, he likes to build his teams from that defensive solidity. If you have a Sean Dyche team in the Scottish Premiership, I’d be backing it to be in contention for all the trophies.

“Looking at the squad they’ve got, despite losing a few key players like Cyriel Dessers, I still think they’ve got enough to be challenging now even with a nominal amount of investment and no new players.

“I believe Dyche has missed an opportunity, but I don’t know what irons he’s got in the fire and where he’s at personally about what he wants to do in management. I’m not judging the man; it’s a judgement of opportunity. A manager of his calibre and quality, I would’ve backed him to do great things there.”

Not joining Rangers is a regret of mine

Carlisle discussed his regrets at not joining Rangers when he had the opportunity to in his playing days.

Carlisle said: “I had the opportunity to sign for Rangers when they were banished down to the bottom of Scottish football, and I regret not doing that and becoming a true part of history for them. It was inevitable that they’d climb through the leagues again, to be a part of that would’ve been fantastic.

“When you look at the situation they’re in today, taking the managerial role is almost like a poisoned chalice. The expectation is so high, the fans and the whole of Scotland expect Rangers to be fighting it out for the title each season.

“It’s six of one, half-a-dozen of the other. Because the start has been so poor, whoever comes in next has to back themselves to turn the ship around immediately, and that’s not easy. The expectation will still be there to be challenging for the title this season, it’s not as though Celtic have gone 15 points clear, Hearts are only two points clear at the top.”

About the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award

The William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award is the longest established and most valuable literary sports-writing prize in the world. First awarded in 1989, it aims to reward excellence in sports writing and provide recognition to authors who bring the world of sport to life through their work.

The 2025 judging panel will be chaired by Alyson Rudd, with Clarke Carlisle, Elis James, Gabby Logan, Mark Lawson, Dame Heather Rabbatts and Michelle Walder making up the rest of the panel.

The final shortlist will be announced on 30th October with the official awards ceremony taking place on 25th November where the winner will be announced.