James Garner takes fresh swipe at Sean Dyche after holding him back at Everton

Sean Dyche’s reunion with Everton in December could be frosty with some players after James Garner has taken aim at the Nottingham Forest boss.

Everton sit well clear of Forest going into the weekend’s fixtures following a difficult start to the campaign for the Tricky Trees.

Under the new ownership of the Friedkins, stability has been returned with David Moyes leading the Toffees from the dugout.

Dyche was able to pick up a victory in his opening game as the Forest boss against Porto in the Europa League.

Team MP W D L GD Pts
12 Everton 8 3 2 3 0 11
Team MP W D L GD Pts
18 Nottingham Forest 8 1 2 5 -10 5
There is a feeling, though, from Garner that Dyche could have done more with the players he had available to him on Merseyside.

Nottingham Forest FC v FC Porto – UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3
Photo by Jack Thomas – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
MORE EVERTON STORIES
James Garner takes aim at former Everton boss Sean Dyche
This season, Garner has taken his game to another level at Everton, with the 24-year-old deployed at left-back at times.

Moyes has urged Thomas Tuchel to select Garner for England on the back of his opening eight appearances in the Premier League this term.

During an interview with FourFourTwo, Garner has commented on his time playing under Dyche, amid his appointment at the City Ground.

“He’s [Moyes] been really good since he’s come in, he’s given me more of a licence to express myself and get on the ball. The last few seasons, I’ve not really had the licence to show my qualities. That’s just how the team was playing (poorly),” he said.

View Tweet
“With this manager now, we play a little bit more football and there’s a lot more chance for me to get on the ball and try and make something happen.”

The midfielder has been that good this season, that some Manchester United fans are pining to re-sign Garner from Everton.

With his deal set to expire at the end of the season, Everton News understands that Everton are keen to sign Garner to a new contract.

James Garner’s record under Sean Dyche at Everton
Garner is thriving under Moyes. So much so that it is believed Garner will be on Tuchel’s England radar, alongside the likes of Jack Grealish.

This was not the case when Dyche was sitting in the dugout on Merseyside, though.

There is actually not a great deal to separate Garner’s time under Moyes and Dyche in numbers, but the midfielder is certainly doing a lot more that does not count towards goal contributions.

James Garner Sean Dyche David Moyes
Appearances 58 28
Minutes 4530 2320
Goals 2 1
Assists 3 2
Garner is more than happy playing at left-back but he has since returned to his natural position in midfield.

The 24-year-old will have two opportunities to prove Dyche wrong in December when the two sides battle it out.