Sean Dyche has been named Everton's new head coach, replacing Frank Lampard, and arrives with a simple brief: avoid relegation.

The 51-year-old has been out of work since leaving Burnley last April but could be the steadying hand the Toffees need after a tumultuous decade or so.

Even if the worst does happen and they suffer relegation, the appointment may futureproof them for next season, with Dyche having guided the Clarets back to the top flight in 2016 following their relegation the previous season.

The Everton board have gone big with their appointments, with Ronald Koeman, Marco Silva, Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez and Lampard all serving since Farhad Moshiri took over in 2016, spending a reported £500m between them.

Dyche may be from slightly more understated stock but could prove to be what his new club needs to maintain their record of having been in the top flight for every season since 1954.

He takes over a side sat 19th in the Premier League who are 8/13 to be relegated. However, having overseen several successful survival campaigns with Burnley, the 6/5 price for Everton not to be relegated may appeal to some.

What	Premier League 2022/23
Where	England
When	Friday 5th August 2022 - Sunday 28th May 2023
How to watch	Sky Sports, BT Sport and Amazon Prime
Odds	Bournemouth 3/10, Everton 8/13, Southampton 8/13, Wolverhampton 12/5, Nottm Forest 5/2

A safe pair of hands

It sounds cliche but Dyche might be the perfect fit for Everton. The fact they are thought to have also been keen on a coach as diametrically opposed to him as Marcelo Bielsa indicates the uncertainty in approach behind the scenes.

Everton have been linked with Dyche before and his experience in building a side on steady foundations could give the Toffees precisely what they need to improve their chances of survival.

One thing that plagued Lampard was his inability to settle on a formation, which was not necessarily his fault. Some of the current Goodison squad have played under nine permanent managers and all of those coaches have had their say on buying and selling players, as have various sporting directors.

Dyche will likely go back to basics by favouring something akin to the 4-4-2 he played for much of his time at Burnley, but will not be afraid to tinker where he sees fit.

The Toffees' record of 28 goals conceded is not that bad when you consider fifth-place Tottenham (31) and Fulham in seventh (30) have both conceded more. However, having scored just 15 league goals, the second worst in the division, the former Watford boss will know what part of his team's approach needs work.

Talent available to Dyche

Despite their shortcomings this season, there is no doubt that Everton have talented players in their squad.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is one of the best in the world, while their most-used central defenders this season - Ben Godfrey, Yerry Mina, Conor Coady and James Tarkowski - all have international experience.

Idrissa Gana Gueye excelled for Senegal at the World Cup, while his midfield colleague Amadou Onana is raw but still a full Belgium international at just 21.

Alex Iwobi has also excelled in a deeper role, while a fully fit Dominic Calvert-Lewin is among the Premier League's elite.

He might be looking to leave, but keeping Anthony Gordon could be a real bonus, but if not Dyche's experience of working with Dwight McNeil at Burnley may be ideal following the winger's underwhelming form since moving to Goodison last summer.

McNeil is one of three players that Dyche worked with at Burnley alongside Tarkowski and the forgotten Michael Keane.

With no game this weekend after his new team's 3-1 FA Cup third round defeat to Manchester United, Dyche can also take extra time to focus on potential incomings ahead of the close of the January transfer window on Tuesday.

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A tough run of fixtures

However his squad looks come Wednesday morning, Dyche will be desperate to hit the ground running, even though the fixture computer has been far from kind to him.

First up is Premier League leaders Arsenal in the lunchtime game on Saturday 4th February. The Toffees are 8/1 in the Full Time Result market as they aim to become just the second side to get the better of their former midfielder Mikel Arteta and his team in the league this season.

It is then the second Merseyside derby of the season on Monday 13th February, with Everton 13/2 to claim just a second win at Anfield since 1999.

However, there are then three serious chances to pick up points, with Leeds and Aston Villa set to visit Goodison Park on the final two weekends of February before the Toffees head to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest on Sunday 4th March.

With 18 games to go, there is still plenty of time for Everton to correct their campaign and move out of the bottom three and up towards halfway.

After taking time out of the game following a decade-long stint at Turf Moor, Dyche might be the coach they have been searching for.