Why Sean Dyche's Burnley performance proves the Englishman is one of the best Premier League coaches

When Big Sam did what he did just over a year ago, an unwanted reality dawned for every English football fan. The penny dropped pretty dramatically.

The list of suitable candidates for the national team manager’s job was emptier than a hall hired out to celebrate the life and times of Katie Hopkins. Even with an open bar.

Whilst you can’t move for players wanting to play in England, managing our football team is now so far down the pecking order that it’s a dot in the distance.

There appears to be an apathy with international football and it’s at an all time high. As the World Cup qualifiers take centre over the next six days, those wishing it was a regular Premier League weekend won’t be in short supply.

Two of the English names linked, in passing, when Allardyce took his leave were from two of the top flight’s unfashionables.

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AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, young, good looking and stylishly well spoken and Burnley’s gravel-toned, ginger-goateed Sean Dyche.

Older, harder, more uncompromising. The closest thing the south has to one of those is the Mitchell brothers. Critics say the Premier League pound has moved the game away from all that, the ball back to front as quickly as possible no longer what’s wanted.

Before Gareth Southgate’s predictable promotion, Howe was the football thinkers’ choice, learning his trade in the rough and tumble of the Football League and taking the Cherries to uncharted territory with style and trust- before keeping them there.

He’s the modern man. Sleek passing, controlled aggression, a pleasure for any PR agency to have on their books.

Dyche, by contrast, uses old values in more modern surroundings.

Shaven headed and old school by design, there’s doubtlessly a sophistication buried within. His record stacks up, and a determination exists to change views of the much maligned English coach.

Slowly, he is winning people round. Howe, by contrast, the people’s choice perhaps, has suffered second season syndrome.

Bournemouth, with just one win, a narrow victory against promotion Brighton & Hove Albion, are struggling to adapt after staying up with such comfortable last season.

Burnley, though, are having the time of their lives. Although, criminally, their tremendous start has gone slipped the radar. Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Everton had the credit snatched away from it by the woes for Ronald Koeman.

Just like it was at Chelsea on the first day of the season. Few column inches were reserved for the Clarets boss, but many set aside for the Blues ill-discipline and the champions’ poor summer recruitment.

Their hard earned win over Crystal Palace? Unnoticed thanks to the Eagles losing their minds and firing Frank de Boer after four games.

The Lancashire town of Burnley, like it’s boss, is not always an easy sell it seems.

Enduring occasional social strife, it’s been lit it up by Dyche’s way. Pleasing on the eye or otherwise, there’s style and substance to what the big man is doing at Turf Moor. Sixth place tells its own impressive story.

With the current bottom four Premier League clubs managed by Englishman, there’s one threatening to do the totally unthinkable and gatecrash those positions are the other end.