Sean Dyche names Wolves star among best players he ever managed | OneFootball

Kieran Trippier has earned rave reviews from his former Burnley boss

Sean Dyche is one of English football's modern-day cult heroes, with such status certainly being developed during a lengthy and successful period in charge of Burnley between 2012 and 2022.

Portrayed as a 'no-nonsense' manager, Dyche has since been the subject of various internet memes that have stemmed from his persona or comments in pre or post-match press conferences.

However, that takes very little away from the success which he has enjoyed in the dugout, particularly at Championship level, where, according to the underlying data, he is one of the 25 most-successful managers to have plied their trade in the second tier since it was last rebranded in 2004.

Since leaving Turf Moor in controversial fashion towards the end of Clarets' relegation season from the Premier League four years ago, the Kettering-born man has since gone on to take charge of Everton and Nottingham Forest, with his spells at Goodison Park and the City Ground also not without mixed circumstances.

From February onwards, Dyche has taken a break from the day-to-day rigours of elite-level management and has since become a prominent figure on several television and radio shows, as well as podcasts.

But it's fair to say that his previous experiences in management have seen him cross paths with some of the country's most high-profile names, and there are some who continue to earn praise from the 55-year-old.

Sean Dyche issues high Kieran Trippier praise after Burnley spell

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During his time in East Lancashire, Dyche won promotion to the Premier League on two occasions, with the second of those in 2016 also seeing the Clarets lift the Championship trophy after going 23 matches without defeat.

Burnley qualified for the UEFA Europa League less than two years later, meaning that an array of players were responsible for their roles in a golden period for the club.

However, speaking on the Overlap's fan debate with former Liverpool and England centre-back, Jamie Carragher, the club's former boss, once again, singled out Kieran Trippier when asked to name the best player he'd ever managed.

"It would have been Steven Defour, but Kieran Trippier," Dyche stated.

"I love him as a kid, and I think he's a fantastic footballer. He's way better than you would think.

"If you see him up close. He had every pass in his right foot," he added.

"Kyle Walker was terrific (at Tottenham with Trippier), as a specimen as well. 'Trips' wasn't rapid or anything, but his game knowledge (is great) and his right foot is like a wand.

"What a player. Technically superb and a great lad as well," Dyche reiterated.

Kieran Trippier went on to have great success after Burnley spell

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Trippier was always seen as a player with strong potential after being part of the Manchester City Under-18s side which won the 2008 FA Youth Cup, and after impressing on loan with Barnsley and then Burnley, he signed a permanent deal at Turf Moor in 2012 under Eddie Howe.

Spurs were then able to recruit his services for a bargain £3.5m fee in 2015, where he starred under Mauricio Pochettino before going on to feature for Atlético Madrid and Newcastle United.

As well as being in the Magpies side which won the 2025 EFL Cup final, Trippier was capped 54 times by England and scored one of the nation's most famous goals, even in defeat, against Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final in Moscow.

Wolves are now benefitting from Kieran Trippier's vast experience

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It won't surprise Dyche that the 36-year-old is still performing to a relatively high standard with Wolves, having joined on a free transfer in June.

Trippier's Molineux switch was initially the subject of controversy though, as, shortly after agreeing a pre-contract, Rob Edwards was replaced by current boss, Cesar Peixoto.