Phil Jevons says he is savouring his “new challenge” as Everton’s Under-18s assistant manager and is convinced working alongside boss Paul Tait will develop his coaching attributes.
Jevons has linked up with the Under-18s side following four years as the head coach of the Blues’ Under-16s team.
He has switched roles with Tait’s former assistant Keith Southern, who is now leading the Under-16s group.
Jevons came through Everton Academy himself, progressing all the way to the Blues' First Team before enjoying a long career at the likes of Grimsby Town, Yeovil Town and Bristol City.
The former striker explained how manager Tait has ensured a “smooth transition” into his new role and says a shared football vision has helped them form a strong relationship.
“Paul and all the rest of the staff have been very welcoming and supportive towards me,” he told evertonfc.com.
“I think the time was right to take on a new challenge.
“We had a good chat with [Director of Academy] David Unsworth, [Head of Academy Coaching] John Ebbrell and Keith Southern.
“It was agreed the change would be good for us all, to stretch Keith a little bit and to challenge me, too.
“Paul’s been great with me. He is someone I can learn from. And I do, I’m like a sponge, and I’m always asking him questions.
“We’ve got the same way of thinking. We want to play football in the same way, with a high tempo.
“That’s been reinforced by David Unsworth’s philosophy – and myself and Paul are working towards getting a team on the pitch that represents Everton Football Club in the right way.”
Everton Under-18s are in league action against Manchester City at USM Finch Farm on Saturday (11am BST), with young Blues aiming to bounce back following a 2-1 opening-day defeat at Leeds United.
City are the reigning U18 Premier League champions but Everton knocked them out of the FA Youth Cup at the third-round stage last season, with Luke Butterfield’s dramatic 98th-minute winner capping an outstanding team display.
Jevons says that performance provides a template for how the young Blues must approach Saturday’s game.
“On the day, we were bang at it,” he said. “We were organised, ultra-committed, and we took our chance when we got it
“We know how City play. It very much resembles their first team and their philosophy runs right through the club.
“We’re under no illusions, we know it will be a tough game. We’ll need to defend well and, when we win the ball back, we need to keep it well and build our attacks.
“We’re going to go into the game fully focused.
“We’ll show them respect but we showed last season in the Youth Cup how they can be beaten.”