Burnley boss Sean Dyche says he has only ever considered one of his players his ‘favourite’ and is happy to admit that the lucky man is Kieran Trippier.
The current Atletico Madrid and England star spent four seasons at Turf Moor from 2011-15, three of those in the Championship before continuing to impress after promotion to the Premier League.
A big move to Tottenham came along in 2015 but Dyche has not held this against the right-back, who he still continues to consider the only favourite he has ever had as a manager.
‘I’ve always made it clear that I don’t do favourites, apart from Kieran!’ Dyche told the Burnley Express. ‘I always tell everyone that and make sure they’re aware, he’s always been my favourite, he’s the one I don’t deny!
‘We had a good relationship as manager and player, he was very popular here with the staff and his fellow teammates, everyone, not just me, and sometimes you just connect with players a little bit more than others, and I’ve always had a soft spot for him as a lad.
‘I like him a lot, I know his family a little bit as well, and he was a good kid. He’s matured no end, taken on the challenge of playing for his country superbly well, and rounded himself into a thoroughly good professional.
‘He’s had his fair share of challenges as well, on the way, but, joking apart, I always say to the lads, “I don’t have any favourites, apart from Kieran”, that’s a standard line.’
The loving feeling is mutual as Trippier has said in the past that he would love to return to Burnley and finish his playing days there before becoming a coach under Dyche.
‘I would love to retire there,’ said the full-back in 2020, having also played under the likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Diego Simeone. ‘That’s my aim, to retire at Burnley. I have a great relationship with Sean Dyche.
‘I want to play as high as I can for as long as I can, but I’ll know when the time is right. If I’m at Atleti for another two years that’ll take me to 32 and Burnley’s the only club that I’d come back to England for.
‘That’s the way I want it to plan out. I want to play here for as long as I can and then finish playing for a manager like Sean Dyche while ending my career at Burnley. That’s where I want to finish.
‘Who knows, maybe further down the line I would like to be a manager. Who knows at the end of my career, I could play for Dyche again and get a coaching role with him. I would love to play in the Premier League again.’
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