Leighton Baines will return to Everton in a new coaching role just weeks after announcing his retirement as a player.
Baines: “I’m really pleased to be back and to be part of this exciting new structure. While our development pathway is already highly respected, it has been very clear to me that there is a shared ambition here to develop and improve this even further, and I’m hugely excited to have the opportunity to play a part in this.
“I feel proud and privileged that Carlo, Marcel, Denise and David all believe I can support them to achieve their ambitions – and just can’t wait to get started! ”
As part of a new ‘player development structure’, Everton have expanded the role of David Unsworth who will become the Club’s new Director of Academy and Joel Waldron moves from his position as Academy Director to become the Academy’s Chief Operating Officer and will continue to manage the operations relating to the Academy at USM Finch Farm.