SEAN Dyche says he signed a new contract at Burnley because “there was life in the journey”, and he feels stability both on and off the pitch can strengthen the Clarets’ case for an immediate promotion to the Premier League.

Dyche signed a new and improved deal on the eve of their home game against then leaders Hull City last Saturday, celebrating with a win that took them to within two places of top spot in the Championship.

A win at Reading tomorrow could fire them into first place.

Dyche is the third longest serving manager in the division, with three and a half years so far under his belt at Turf Moor.

And while the likes of rivals Derby County have parted company with manager Paul Clement after just eight months, despite being just five points off the automatic promotion places themselves - on the same day that Rotherham sacked Neil Redfearn after just four months - Dyche is pleased with the togetherness and the way things are working for Burnley.

“I spoke about aligning the club when I got here, and I think it is now," said the Burnley boss.

"I think everyone gets what the club’s about and understands the way of moving it forward and understands there are some challenges in that, and a lot of competitors out there fuelling their clubs with money and players trying to stop teams like us.

“I think there’s a healthy reality of what the club really is. I look around now and I see the craziness particularly in the Championship with all these changes.

“Part of me agreeing a new deal here was because I think there’s life in what we do - I think there is as a club and there certainly is with the team and we’re looking forward to what comes next and the challenges that come our way.

“There was life in the journey still and I think there is and I think we’re showing that. There’s not a full stop yet. We’re still continuing to take it further both on and off the pitch.

“That was a big thing for me still earning my spurs and still learning from the job, as I think you always are.

“I’m still a relatively young manager and I’m enjoying the challenge that is here, because it is a challenge.

“There are lots of different areas at the club which have to blend into the main thing, which is winning games. But beyond that there’s a business side that has to be balanced. There's an appropriate level to the business that has to be safeguarded for the future, player development is still very important, brand development to keep Burnley recognised and also the links in the community locally.

“All of that, and you’ve got to win games as well. It is a challenge but it’s one that myself, the staff and the players enjoy.”

He added: “You’d like to think that the club is in better shape and can still keep going.

“On the pitch there are no guarantees, it’s a tough challenge as it always is. I think it’s tougher this year than two years ago because the power of the clubs wasn’t the same two years ago, other than probably Leicester - and guess what, they got it done.

“Certainly not ourselves financially, and the team had to develop and win and succeed all in one season.

“I think the challenge is tougher now because of other market forces."

By signing his new deal, Dyche also hopes to have distanced himself from any speculation surrounding managerial vacancies.

“There were a few questions about me last summer, if jobs came up I seemed to be linked with them,” he said.

“It’s common sense really.

“There was no particular timing to it, no issues on why or when or anything like that, it was just a natural process.”