Steve Walsh named new director of football at Everton

“It feels very much like a new era at Everton”, said Walsh.

The 51-year-old, who has previously held positions at Bury, Chester and Chelsea, will start work at Everton immediately.

Walsh, credited with the purchases of Riyad Mahrez, N’Golo Kante and Jamie Vardy, has warned Everton fans to be patient – attributing his success at Leicester to a long-term plan that was built on a clear talent ID.

The club suffered a blow when Kanté, a remarkable £5.6million signing from Caen past year, opted to join Chelsea in a £30 million deal.

“His track record, particularly at Leicester City, is already the stuff of football folklore, and both myself and Farhad, having spent time with Steve, are convinced he is exactly the right fit for our Club and our new manager, Ronald Koeman”.

It is understood that in his role of director of football at Everton, Walsh will act as the link between the club’s board and manager Ronald Koeman, who has always worked with such an intermediary.

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri insists that his side will cope without former head of recruitment Steve Walsh following his move to Everton. “I’m genuinely excited to be here at the Club and very much looking forward to getting down to work”.

Koeman kicks off his new season at home to Tottenham Hotspur on August 13th, and is keen to add to his inherited squad in that time.

The departure of Walsh, the brother of former Everton striker Mickey, represents a major setback for Leicester after proving so integral to their recruitment policy in recent seasons and helping to stitch the wounds caused by Nigel Pearson’s acrimonious departure back together again last summer.