According to the Daily Mail, Everton have moved closer to hiring a Director of Football after Steve Hitchen impressed during talks, but the job isn’t his just yet.
What’s the story?
Well, Hitchen is said to have come across well in a meeting with Everton, but Kevin Thelwell – who left Wolves in 2020 – is also under consideration.
The 48-year-old left Wolves to become Director of Football at New York Red Bulls, although the Toffees could bring him back to the Premier League.
Farhad Moshiri and Bill Kenwright are still looking to replace Marcel Brands, who left Goodison Park in December.
The Daily Mail believe Hitchen has significant support from those inside the Everton boardroom, specifically from Moshiri himself.
However, Thelwell is also admired by some at Everton.
Hitchen has been unemployed for just seven days, as he quit his job at Tottenham last week due to Fabio Paratici’s influence.
Everton should choose Hitchen over Thelwell
In our view, Everton should choose Hitchen over Thelwell as the new Director of Football at Goodison Park.
Thelwell is still employed by the New York Red Bulls, and it would presumably take a lot to buy him out of his contract.
In Hitchen’s case, he is a free agent, and only left his role due to the fact he felt his influence had waned following Paratici’s arrival in N17.
Impressively, the 45-year-old is said to have negotiated deals for Bruno Fernandes, Paulo Dybala, Jack Grealish and James Ward-Prowse, only for Spurs to pull out due to financial reasons (The Telegraph).
Hitchen did, however, play a part in Tottenham signing Luka Modric, while he also helped Liverpool sign Luis Suarez.
Everton have a big summer ahead of them, so an appointment must be made as soon as possible.
With Hitchen available now – whereas Thelwell is not – the departed Spurs man should be Everton’s choice to replace Brands.
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