Reed has spent eight years at Southampton, two fewer than Thelwell at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Southampton’s Les Reed and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Kevin Thelwell are on the shortlist for a new role with the Premier League, according to the Times.
The newspaper reports the league has appointed recruitment consultants to identify candidates for the position of technical director, and has received the names of the pair in return.
Reed is currently employed as Southampton’s vice-chairman, while Thelwell works as Wolves’ sporting director.
Since being hired by the Saints eight years ago, Reed has overseen the development of numerous academy products, notably Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke Shaw and Callum Chambers, and helped to identify signings such as Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mané and Morgan Schneiderlin, who like the aforementioned trio were later sold for significant profit.
However, it is claimed the 65-year-old’s decision – should he be offered the role – could be influenced by Southampton’s Premier League fate, and could also depend on the approach taken by new owner Gao Jisheng this summer.
A former youth coach, Thelwell – who is 21 years younger than Reed – initially moved to Wolves a decade ago as academy director.
Could the Premier League poach Reed/Thelwell from Southampton/Wolverhampton Wanderers?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
