Everton Football Club will bid farewell to Director of Football Kevin Thelwell this summer as his contract concludes at the end of the 2024/25 season. The news, first broken by Paul Joyce of The Times in late February, was confirmed by the club last week, with Thelwell himself releasing a heartfelt statement via the Association of Sporting Directors. After three challenging yet transformative years at Goodison Park, the 51-year-old leaves behind a legacy that, while not without its critics, has undeniably steadied the ship during one of the most turbulent periods in Everton’s modern history.
In his statement, Thelwell reflected on his tenure with pride:
“Having spent almost three years as Director of Football at Everton Football Club, I will be leaving the Club this summer upon the expiry of my contract. I am extremely proud of what we have achieved in the most challenging of circumstances over the past three years and believe I will leave the Club in a much stronger position than when I joined in 2022.”
Arriving in February 2022 from his role as Head of Sport at New York Red Bulls, Thelwell inherited a club teetering on the brink. Everton were mired in a relegation scrap, haemorrhaging money from years of mismanagement, and facing an uncertain future under Farhad Moshiri’s ownership. The departure of Marcel Brands had left a void in the footballing structure, and with no head of recruitment or scouting manager in place, the task ahead was Herculean. Yet, Thelwell rolled up his sleeves and got to work.
His early days were defined by a comprehensive 120-point plan to overhaul Everton’s footballing operations—a blueprint that tackled everything from recruitment to the academy. It wasn’t glamorous, and results on the pitch didn’t always reflect the progress behind the scenes, but Thelwell’s steady hand brought a sense of direction to a club that had lost its way. As he noted, “There have been some incredibly difficult moments, none more so than navigating two separate independent commission hearings resulting in points deductions, but despite these unprecedented challenges, we have managed to retain our status as a Premier League club.”
Survival has been the name of the game, and Thelwell played a pivotal role in that. The sales of Richarlison, Anthony Gordon, and others were painful but necessary to balance the books under Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
The statement also highlighted his gratitude:
“I’d like to place on record my sincere thanks to the Owner, the Board, our staff across all departments at the Club and of course our incredible fans for the support I have received throughout my time at Everton. I wish the Club every success moving forward into an exciting new era at Bramley-Moore Dock.”
For Evertonians, Thelwell’s departure raises mixed emotions. On one hand, his tenure avoided catastrophe—relegation was a real threat, yet we’re still in the top flight. On the other, the lack of a prolific striker and some questionable transfers have fueled frustration on the terraces and in the forums. Posts on X and threads on Grand Old Team have debated his record relentlessly, with some lauding his pragmatism and others lamenting a lack of flair in the transfer market. “He wrote a book about a formation we never play,” one fan quipped last summer, referencing his coaching tome Coaching the European 3-5-2. Fair or not, it’s the kind of gallows humour that’s kept us going through the tough times.
The club’s decision to transition away from a single Director of Football model to a broader “sporting leadership team” under David Moyes and the sporting department signals a new chapter. Thelwell’s influence in bringing Moyes back suggests he’s leaving with the trust of the incoming Friedkin Group ownership, even if his contract won’t be renewed. As he departs, Everton sit in a stronger position—financially more stable, with a new stadium on the horizon, and a squad that, while imperfect, has the bones of something better.
So, here’s to you, Kev. It wasn’t always pretty, and it wasn’t always popular, but you kept us afloat when the waters were rough. As we prepare for life at Bramley-Moore Dock, your three years of graft won’t be forgotten. Best of luck wherever the road takes you next—and maybe, just maybe, leave the 3-5-2 playbook behind for the next fella.
What do you think, Blues? Share your thoughts on Thelwell’s reign in the comments below or join the debate on the Grand Old Team forum. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum.
