Everton are close to appointing a new chief executive, who will join with a remit to lead an on and off-the-field transformation this summer.
In another sign of the Toffees turning the page on a troubled period, The i Paper understands that the club expect to confirm the appointment in the coming weeks.
It is claimed Leeds United’s Angus Kinnear is a front-runner for the role although there are understood to be other options and sources remain tight-lipped on talks with potential candidates, which have stepped up in the last fortnight.
A source said that given the scale of the ambition of the Friedkin Group (TFG) – and the size of the challenges in the summer – it will be “someone well-known” rather than a figure with little to no experience in the Premier League.
Executive recruitment firm Nolan Partners have been tasked with sourcing the right candidate and taking someone already in a job elsewhere has not been ruled out.
The role is seen as absolutely crucial by the Friedkins, with the new hire set to lead the organisation from the front. It is envisaged that, with Dan Friedkin and son Ryan preferring not to give interviews, they will be the public face of Everton moving forward and have considerable influence over decisions at a critical period for the club.
As well as a huge summer on the football side – it is anticipated that there will be a huge influx of players and a sizeable transfer budget as Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) issues dissipate- the club also have work to do as they move to a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
This week’s first test event, which will be followed by a second match in front of 25,000 at the end of March, was considered internally to be a big success. But by the time Everton kick off next season at the venue it will likely look different from the outside, with the club considering selling naming rights for the stadium and various partnerships which will maximise commercial revenue opportunities. The CEO will have responsibility for leading on that.
The future of director of football Kevin Thelwell, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is another pressing issue that the CEO will lead on. As yet there has been no decision on Thelwell’s future, with talks on a new deal unlikely to start until a new executive is appointed.
Among the other names linked with the Everton role are former Arsenal CEO Vinai Venkatesham, although that has been played down by some sources, Brighton’s Paul Barber and former Nottingham Forest executive Dane Murphy. Colin Chong has been filling the role on an interim basis and has impressed TFG.
Whoever it is, they will join at a time when there is a real feel-good factor at Goodison Park.
David Moyes’s appointment has worked out better than anyone expected with his return – in the words of one source – “lifting everyone at Everton”.
Although no-one connected with the club would say it publicly, the 13-point gap from the bottom three means they are virtually guaranteed to kick off next season in the top flight. That is a remarkable turnaround given they were only a point off the relegation zone when he was appointed.
Moyes is set to take a prominent role in recruitment this summer, with as many as 13 players set to leave the squad. He is viewed by his bosses as an “anchor” around which a new squad will be built.
The new era feel to proceedings was stepped up this week by the first test event at Bramley-Moore Dock. A rare concern were the transport issues around nearby Sandhills station – highlighted by supporters who had to wait in the cold for trains – and the council and Merseyrail have pledged to work on solutions. More frequent trains on matchdays are the most obvious remedy.
Club sources pointed out that the reason for the three test events was to discover issues that can be resolved.
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