The respected physiotherapist, the son of former assistant manager Willie, ended his decade-plus period at Goodison last week.

Donachie, who is regarded as a leader in the industry and has been at the forefront of innovative techniques to help players recover from injury, departs at a difficult point for Roberto Martinez’s side.

Problems over James McCarthy’s susceptibility to hamstring injuries continue to be a major concern, and 18 Blues players have been sidelined with similar complaints over the last year and a half.

An in-depth investigation into the cause of McCarthy’s recent absence is ongoing, but will be without any further input from Donachie.

During the David Moyes era Donachie was credited with playing a major part in helping Everton challenge for Europe, despite often having one of the Premier League’s smallest squads.

He is a keen advocate of ashtanga yoga and helped Bryan Oviedo to return ahead of schedule from the double leg break he suffered in January.

Danny left Everton in 2014, but returned to the club in July 2018, and was appointed to Marco Silva’s backroom team as Head of Therapy Services.

Danny left the club in November 2021. Upon his departure, he wrote “Too many life long friends to mention. You know who you are. I have been inspired by all of you time after time. My spirit will never be the same. What an incredible privilege to have been a custodian of this great club for so long. Separated by distance but never heart.”