Everton’s Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell, is set to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the current season.
This move is part of the wider restructuring process at the club under the new ownership of The Friedkin Group (TFG), who are looking to make significant changes as they put their stamp on the club following their buyout of former owner Farhad Moshiri.
Restructuring at Everton: The Friedkin Group’s Vision
TFG completed their acquisition of Everton in late December and have already begun reshaping the club’s leadership structure.
David Moyes returned to the club as manager in January, replacing Sean Dyche.
Dyche had acknowledged that he had taken Everton as far as he could during difficult conditions. Moyes’ return has provided a sense of stability, easing relegation concerns.
The decision to part ways with Thelwell is seen as a step toward establishing a new hierarchy at the club.
🚨 MAJOR BREAKING – Kevin Thelwell to leave Everton as director of football in summer. [@_pauljoyce] pic.twitter.com/GzqLTO3sWO
— EFC DAILY (@EFCdaily_) February 28, 2025
Kevin Thelwell’s Departure and Everton’s Financial Focus
Kevin Thelwell, who took over as Director of Football three years ago, was responsible for overseeing the club’s recruitment and player transfers.
During his tenure, he generated more than £220 million in transfer receipts and reduced player costs by over £10 million.
However, the club’s financial constraints and difficulty securing high-quality reinforcements impacted his ability to strengthen the squad in the way he had hoped.
While some signings like James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil have proved successful, others such as Neal Maupay and Youssef Chermiti have struggled to make a lasting impact.
Thelwell’s role in cutting ties with older, high-earning players was an important part of his strategy to improve Everton’s financial sustainability, but the limited budget posed challenges in building a competitive squad.
Angus Kinnear Set for Everton Role
As part of the restructuring, The Times reports that Angus Kinnear, the current CEO of Leeds United, is lined up to join Everton in a similar role before next season.
This would mark a major change in leadership as Kinnear would work alongside the new ownership group to implement their vision for the club’s future.
The new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, which will seat 52,888 spectators, is set to open in the near future, providing a significant milestone for the club under the new regime.
Everton are expected to undergo a major overhaul this summer under David Moyes.
Several players are set to leave as their contracts expire, and the club will be looking to strengthen the team in key areas.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ashley Young, Idrissa Gueye, and Michael Keane are among those whose contracts run out in the summer, and it remains to be seen if Abdoulaye Doucoure and Seamus Coleman will be given extensions too.
The Friedkin Group’s planned restructuring, coupled with a potential new Director of Football, will play a crucial role in shaping the future direction of the club.
