Everton rebuild from backroom

MANCHESTER United academy chief Nick Cox has been named technical director at Everton as part of the club's new-look football leadership structure.

- By JOE THOMAS

The Blues are undergoing a summer of change on and off the pitch, with the rebuild led by new owners The Friedkin Group (TFG) running through Finch Farm.

The new arrivals come after TFG opted to move away from the director of football model that had been employed under Kevin Thelwell, who left for Rangers at the end of the season.

Instead, a new 'flatter' structure is being installed with manager David Moyes and recently-appointed chief executive Angus Kinnear each prominent.

Specialists in technical development, football operations, talent ID, data analytics and player trading have been hired to implement the vision.

Cox is appointed as technical director, James Smith as director of scouting and recruitment, Chris Howarth to direct the club's football strategy and analytics operations, and Nick Hammond to lead the club's player trading activity.