Technical chief Cox completes the leadership

NICK Cox has started his role as Everton's new technical director.

- By JOE THOMAS

One of the highest profile appointments since the Friedkin Group took over the club in December, Cox will lead on all aspects of the Blues' operation at Finch Farm - from player care to the academy.

His move to Merseyside was announced in June but he remained at Manchester United, where he was academy director, through the summer in order to help oversee the transition that will now follow his departure.

His arrival at the club’s Halewood training base means TFG’s new football leadership team is now fully in place, just shy of four months after the US owners set out their vision for how the club would be run.

Cox spent six years as director of Manchester United's famous academy, where he initially arrived as head of academy operations in 2016.

He oversaw the first team debuts of 35 academy players at Old Trafford, where he remains held in high-regard.

Key to his support of youth development was his belief in creating a ‘culture of excellence’ that ensured the club's rising stars also pursued success in other aspects of their lives, particularly education.