Kevin Thelwell appointed as Everton’s Director of Football

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Kevin Thelwell appointed as Everton’s Director of Football Feb 25, 2022 at 8:07pm

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Post by Everton News. on Feb 25, 2022 at 8:07pm

Kevin Thelwell has been appointed as Everton’s Director of Football.

Thelwell, 48, will report directly to the Club’s Board of Directors, acting as the strategic lead for recruitment and all the Club’s football departments, including First Team, Academy, coaching, sport science, medical services and analysis.

Currently Head of Sport at New York Red Bulls, who he joined in February 2020, Thelwell was Sporting Director at Wolverhampton Wanderers between 2016 and 2020, and was previously the Midlands club’s Head of Football Development and Recruitment between 2013 and 2016.

With a glowing reputation for developing young talent, Thelwell guided New York Red Bulls into the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2020 with the youngest roster in the MLS.

As Sporting Director at Wolverhampton Wanderers and previously Head of Football Development and Recruitment, Thelwell orchestrated Wolves’ rise from League One in 2013/14 to qualification for the Europa League in 2019/20, identifying and recruiting players like Diogo Jota, Ruben Neves, Adama Traore, Leander Dendoncker and Conor Coady.

Thelwell was Academy Manager at Wolves between 2008 and 2013, during which time more than 30 homegrown players made more than 1,000 first-team appearances for the club. Prior to that he was the youngest Academy Manager in the country at Derby County at 32 years of age.

Thelwell’s appointment is a key part of the Club’s ongoing strategic review of its football strategy and operation, which included the appointment of Frank Lampard as its new manager last month.

Commenting on his appointment, Thelwell said: “I’m so pleased to be joining Everton and to have the opportunity to play a part in the Club’s ambitious journey. I’m greatly looking forward to working with Frank and the players and to helping the Owner and Board achieve their long-term footballing objectives.

“The Owner, the Chairman and the CEO all presented compelling reasons for me to join this great club and I am really excited to have the opportunity to work with them all and to move Everton forward. I can’t get wait to get started.”

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Everton News.
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Kevin Thelwell appointed as Everton’s Director of Football Feb 25, 2022 at 8:08pm

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Post by Everton News. on Feb 25, 2022 at 8:08pm

In Profile

Kevin Thelwell boasts nearly 25 years of experience in management and leadership positions within professional football and was instrumental in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ rise from English football’s third tier to European qualification, while both attracting and developing a wealth of talent for the Midlands club.

Thelwell was appointed Sporting Director at Wolves in the summer of 2016 after three years as the Molineux club’s Head of Football Development and Recruitment, overseeing all football-related matters in both roles.

As Sporting Director, he was responsible for Wolves’ transfer and contract negotiations and oversaw all aspects of the football operation including recruitment, academy, sports science, performance analysis, medical and coaching.

During Thelwell’s tenure, Wolves went from England’s third tier in 2013/14 to winning the Championship in 2017/18 with a 99-points total.

Wolves finished seventh in their first Premier League season in 2018/19, qualifying for a return to European competition after 39 years with a spot in the Europa League the following term where they reached the quarter-final before being edged out by eventual champions Sevilla.

Thelwell helped build a Wolves team that included identifying and recruiting players like Diogo Jota, Ruben Neves, Adama Traore, Leander Dendoncker and Conor Coady.

In August 2019, Thelwell was appointed to Wolves’ board for his contributions to the club’s success, as the Midlanders went on to finish seventh again in the 2019/20 Premier League campaign.

With Thelwell as Sporting Director, Wolves were regarded as one of the pioneers of the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan, achieving Category One status and being described by auditors as “one of the top three academies in the country”.

In February 2020, Thelwell was appointed Head of Sport at New York Red Bulls, having oversight on all aspects of the sporting side of the MLS club.

He rebuilt the New York Red Bulls squad with 12 new signings from a mix of European and South American clubs as the team qualified for their 12th consecutive play-offs in 2021 with the youngest roster in the MLS.

A former professional footballer with Shrewsbury Town, Thelwell was Wolves’ academy manager for six years prior to being named the club’s Head of Football Development and Recruitment in 2013.

He holds a UEFA Pro License - the highest coaching qualification in European football – while previous roles include Derby County academy manager at the age of 32, Preston North End Director of Youth and four years as Director of Coaching Education for the Football Association of Wales.

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evertontillidie Monster Midfielder Posts: 1,609	Kevin Thelwell appointed as Everton’s Director of Football Feb 28, 2022 at 7:54am Reply Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by evertontillidie on Feb 28, 2022 at 7:54am Did he actually scout those Wolves players?

Everton News. Record Signing Posts: 13,065	Kevin Thelwell appointed as Everton’s Director of Football Mar 6, 2022 at 11:01am Reply Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Everton News. on Mar 6, 2022 at 11:01am

Post by Everton News. on Feb 25, 2022 at 8:07pm

Post by Everton News. on Feb 25, 2022 at 8:08pm

Post by evertontillidie on Feb 28, 2022 at 7:54am

Post by Everton News. on Mar 6, 2022 at 11:01am