Seasons2021-22Everton News
Scout Dan Purdy back at Everton
Dan Purdy has returned to his role as Scouting and Operations Manager at Everton, three months after leaving the post in the wake of Marcel Brands's departure from Finch Farm.
Purdy joined Brands and Chief Scout Gretar Steinsson in exiting Everton in December as former team manager Rafael Benitez tried to reform the coaching, scouting and medical setup at the club.
Benitez was relieved of his position in mid-January but not before a number of personnel had been compelled to leave or made redundant.
Purdy had been with the club for more than seven years but, in a tacit acknowledgement that Benitez's slash-and-burn approach had left Everton short-handed in terms of scouting and recruitment, he has been re-hired, reportedly at the urging of new Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell.
Article continues below video content
Thelwell was hired to replace Brands shortly after Frank Lampard's appointment as head coach earlier this year.
Reader Comments (53)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
2 Posted 23/03/2022 at 17:58:18
Results have been, in the main, utterly abysmal. So that means they're all hopeless.
And as for inferred associations... well Brian, they may indeed have a strong and close personal connection to the Impressiaro Luvvie, how else can we process the knowledge provided here that Finch Farm is rife with nepotism?
But doesn't that all sound just a little too simplistic?
Seems the story here is suggesting "wrongful dismissal" by Benitez and that the current regime are working to redress some of his excesses, perhaps?
But no, let's maintain the witch hunt and getting that ducking stool in working order before the end of May when there might be a rush to more hasty judgements required.
3 Posted 23/03/2022 at 18:03:53
4 Posted 23/03/2022 at 18:21:50
What a truly sad and sorry state this football club has become under the stewardship of the Big Actor. In 20-odd years, he has managed to turn us into the most average, pointless, soulless, spineless yet self-congratulatory football club in the Premier League. The sodding charity will be the only thing left in a couple of seasons once we've dropped down a few divisions and become insolvent.
The whole Bill Kenwright show must not go on any longer, he needs to be rooted out and shown the door along with the rest of the parasites bleeding the club dry. It's shameful. Just go Bill, leave us alone.
5 Posted 23/03/2022 at 18:49:18
For fuck's sake, nothing else has changed at the club so. if he was ignored before. he'll be ignored again.
Alternatively, he was abysmal before but Everton is such an old boys club, that we'd rather rehire the worst scout on the planet than actually act like a professional organisation and bring in someone capable of changing the losing mentality.
6 Posted 23/03/2022 at 19:12:11
Then again, we are talking about a club that thought it a good idea to sell our only decent left-back and use the cash to buy 2 other full-backs who don't appear worthy of selection.
Who'll be back next? Frannie Jeffers, Jack Rodwell or Oumar Niasse? Answers on a postcard.
7 Posted 23/03/2022 at 19:16:35
I mean we've 25 players, and I'd keep less than 5 off £600M...
8 Posted 23/03/2022 at 19:35:43
9 Posted 24/03/2022 at 08:47:43
"I am responsible for Performance Analysis strategy and delivery with the First Team and Academy at Everton FC. Key duties include: - Designing, Developing and implementing the Performance Analysis strategy across the club; - Overseeing all Performance Analysis process to ensure they are as efficient and effective as possible; - Working closely with First Team Management, Academy Management and Club Directors to meet the strategic aims of the Club."
Looks pretty young, early 30s, but he's been doing it for 7 or 8 years after getting a Masters degree in the subject at Chichester. Now a Consultant at Fifa... so possibly a step up? Or a move into mindless bureaucracy?
10 Posted 24/03/2022 at 09:56:56
His Report into each game only needs one 4-letter word pick from:
Shit!
11 Posted 24/03/2022 at 09:59:45
Purdy is still in his late twenties or early thirties, maybe a very young genius at his job or maybe it's the people he knows who gave him a hand up the ladder. I'm betting nothing has changed in the running of the club since Billy Boy became chairman.
12 Posted 24/03/2022 at 10:18:42
Just when you think this club can't get anymore incompetent, voila! Let me guess, did we poach him back from Chelsea, Man City or maybe PSG, a man of his great talents must have been in great demand.
'Get me the guy who recommended Iwobi' I hear Abramovich cry. Sheikh Mansour would have swooped to get in the man who had a hand in bringing in Klaassen.
This club doesn't deserve to be in the Championship let alone the Premier League.
13 Posted 24/03/2022 at 12:02:29
14 Posted 24/03/2022 at 12:18:02
Probably a good bet. Even though he'll only have 12 months left on his Chelsea contract left by them – and they'd probably give him away to get him off the books – we'll offer them a big fee too.
15 Posted 24/03/2022 at 12:30:55
I think we'll also be linked with:
- Phil Jones
- Lingard
- Elneny
- Rodon
- Tarkowski
- Longstaff
- Pukki
These are are all very underwhelming for a club under the impression it was gunning for top 4.
But we are now a club gunning for top 10 and these players (including Barkley) will improve the squad.
In fairness we will also be linked with younger, less depressing players too - like:
- Gilmour
- Knight
- Brereton-Diaz
- Doyle
A few like this (and foreign based players like them) and a few not very exciting experienced players could actually leave us with quite a good squad if done right.
Better these (assuming they are motivated and up for it) than lacklustre Dele Alli types (although obviously we all hope he will come good).
16 Posted 24/03/2022 at 12:35:37
After ZERO win in five league games, the manager forces out Chief Medic Danny Donachie on 10th November.
After ZERO wins in eight league games, the board gives "full support" to the manager, resulting in the resignation of the Director of Football on 6th December.
The Chief Scout and Scouting and Operations Manager follow him on 10th December ahead of the transfer window opening on 1st January.
After ONE league win in twelve league games, the club sign Mykolenko and Patterson (allegedly without the manager's support) for a combined 30 million between 1st and 4th January.
After ONE win in thirteen league games, the manager is allowed to sell our only experienced left back to the team one place above us on 13th January.
After ONE win in fourteen games, the club finally sack the manager on 18th January.
Who runs football club like this? Answers on a postcard to Farhad Moshiri.
17 Posted 24/03/2022 at 14:23:40
I guess we'll be shopping for a goalkeeper too this summer.
18 Posted 24/03/2022 at 14:54:01
You omitted to add that the other PL clubs are all looking at what Everton does and saying what a well-operated unit we are.
19 Posted 24/03/2022 at 15:43:13
Benitez sacked Brands and this Dan Purdy? I'd love to see genuine evidence of this, although I suppose it doesn't have to be true for people to say it.
20 Posted 24/03/2022 at 18:47:15
The new UEFA finance guidelines that will kick in over the next few years adds scorn and fuel to the festering mess that has become Everton FC.
Does the board really care? Does the board have a Plan A and a Plan B and a Plan C, for what's looking like a harsh landscape over the next few years for Everton FC to survive, let alone flourish?
If the board had as much care and enthusiasm as the TW forum members, then there may be some genuine prospects of a sustainable future for Everton FC?
Hopefully the weekend break from matches will do us all good, and help focus on the West Ham game.
But the facts of the club's finances, wages, cost reduction, recruitment and naturally the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, does become a permanent grey cloud above Everton FC.
Time for When Skies are Grey to make a comeback! lol.
UTFT!
21 Posted 24/03/2022 at 19:30:12
Having made a deal to stay 'in the chair' indefinitely, Kenwright became a mere sideshow as he continued to take the stick for decisions he could not influence. His quitting was never a possibility as he feels the need 'to be around' to pick up the pieces when the shit really hits the fan(s) – be they loyal or otherwise!
22 Posted 24/03/2022 at 19:50:01
I don't even know why I'm writing this? But probably because I'm still trying to come to terms with how little pride we've got, and it's very hard to take when the biggest charlatan ever associated with Everton Football Club actually talked about giving the fans some good times, even though anyone under 30 wouldn't possibly be able to remember an Everton team winning a cup. (Maybe he wants to pick up the pieces, wow.)
Imagine getting relegated? It would be absolutely fucking horrible, but also such an ironic end for Kenwright, and I wonder how many would cheer when his crying face was shown on the big screens inside Goodison?
23 Posted 24/03/2022 at 20:18:30
24 Posted 24/03/2022 at 20:27:58
But Bill Kenwright could never be my brother, although the bastard has had me up in arms many-a-time!
25 Posted 24/03/2022 at 20:45:33
Its the silence no end, from Everton, thats frustrating and is derailing the club, on all fronts, club, football, business sponsorship, EFC, has become Babel.
I love the club till I die and in the next life, but by God, the comparisons for dereliction of duty in British football in recent times, only Leeds under Ridsdale seems to come close, on par to history and EPL status.
But this is the biggest potential disaster in football terms that could happen, if the players dont get some guts very soon, and belief that can last, for the run in of EPL fixtures, this season.
But crash and burn, and start again, I dont know, but it seems, that Everton have failed on an unsurpassed scale these last 6 years, by corporate neglect by the board.
Ive said many times, how often does the board speak, meet, greet, Zoom, Teams Call, Daily or weekly?
It seems to me theres no connection but I know very little other than hopefully if Everton do stay up, then a new vision and a professional approach to running the club top down is undertaken.
For that to happen requires significant changes by the key decision makers, and Id say it seems unlikely.
We live in hope but being in the Shit Creek, and at best mid table mediocrity for decades, is not good enough for Everton Football Club.
26 Posted 24/03/2022 at 22:36:59
Now onto the questions;
i) Did Kevin Thelwell re-appoint Dan Purdy, because he was the best candidate for the role available?
or
ii) Yet again, our appointed DoF has been foisted with this re-appointment by members of the board with or without Mr Thelwell's consultation?
Personally, and with no knowledge whatsoever of the facts, I doubt that Dan Purdy was and is the best candidate available.
Which means that either Thelwell is not as good as previously thought or reported; or more likely, our DoF has yet again been pushed to one side when an important footballing decision is made.
If so, just what is the point of hiring a DoF, and if the board are going to continue to think that they know 'best' regarding footballing matters, then the continuing decline of our club is guaranteed, other than by a miracle or some other sort of divine intervention.
27 Posted 24/03/2022 at 22:47:52
Valid points – and essentially the same questions asked about Marcel Brands.
In short … if Brands recommended or approved of the signings made during his tenure, he probably deserved firing. If he didn't, he should have resigned for having signings foisted on him.
Plus ça change – as our recently departed French full-back might have said.
ps: Still waiting for the announcement that Jack Rodwell is “coming home”...
28 Posted 24/03/2022 at 23:19:16
On another thread, seemingly an age ago now, I commented that I was informed that Brands had about 80% or more of players recruited during his tenure forced upon him.
Other than that, I believe after the derby, when he said "Is it just the players?", that he had decided enough is enough.
When he challenged Moshiri and the board, and he didn't get his way, he resigned.
Without any of us being in the decision making processes, we don't really know.
As for the possible emerging situation regards Thelwell, plus ça change exactly!
29 Posted 24/03/2022 at 23:53:23
Moving on, I assume Purdy received some sort of payoff when he was chucked out, as did Brands and everyone else given the boot. Who authorised this? In Purdy's case, that person is still in the boardroom or Monaco.
What does this tell us regarding our allegedly "fit and proper persons" who own and run our football club? Do any of them want to explain their own personal accountability for the fiasco concerning Purdy (and anything else that may come to their minds) to us mere fans?
Cue silence, as ever.
On other threads, some folk have suggested the removal of Z-Cars as our theme tune. I'd only agree if it was replaced by "You Don't Know What You're Doing"!
30 Posted 25/03/2022 at 00:57:49
It's that dirty word again. Professional. Anyway is if was at all masochistic I'd want us to go down to get my pound of emotional flesh but I'm a blue so praying we have enough.
31 Posted 25/03/2022 at 11:39:36
His initial spell with the Toffees lasted more than 7½ years, starting as Performance Analyst Intern and rising to Technical Scout and then Technical Scouting Co-ordinator for the first team. In July 2019, Purdy was promoted to Manager of Scouting and Operations by Brands, and has returned to that position, presumably at the behest of new Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell.
So he was there for the entire duration of the most dreadful scouting and recruitment period imaginable at EFC. A great many of the players Everton bought in during this period turned to absolute shite... therefore Dan Purdy must be absolute shite at his job. Is that the obvious conclusion?
But, as others have said, what if he's actually very good, but no-one listened to him? After all, we've had so many stories that plenty of these players arrived because different managers wanted them, or because Moshiri wanted them, or because certain agents pushed them. Maybe scouting was completely bypassed and ignored?
Yet you say Dan Purdy obviously couldn't scout a 10-year-old Lionel Messi if thrown in front of him. I'm just curious how you are so certain of the exact story of each player's scouting and recruitment path that Dan Purdy was involved with over the last 7½ years for you to be able to judge him in this way – especially when you admit you'd never even heard of him before.
32 Posted 25/03/2022 at 12:28:49
If these new employees don't come with a good CV, then I assume Frank Lampard would be asking questions or maybe, just maybe that's another reason why Frank's face has been a bit distorted lately as the club's total dysfunctional ways eat into his high intelligence. He will walk out this club if he is being undermined.
It is simple. That shit stain on our club, Bill Kenwright has to be forced out of our club ASAP – otherwise, the failure will continue and we will keep on talking about it. Let's not be distracted by the other issues going on and get those banners out in force for all to see both home and away.
Not everyone dislikes him of course and especially the younger generation who don't understand the off-field issues but this is actually bigger than the on-field problems and there has to be enough supporters to get this message to the board that Kenwright must step down. It would be a massive victory for the club if it happens.
33 Posted 25/03/2022 at 20:33:06
34 Posted 25/03/2022 at 21:04:28
Sharp has stood down from all his other duties at Everton, whatever they were, to concentrate on being a full-time Everton director. So the Everton board is completely in the hands of Kenwright and crew – you know what means, Pete!!
35 Posted 25/03/2022 at 21:20:37
I have read this week that EFC's board are the third-highest paid in the Premier League. They are cashing in big time.
36 Posted 26/03/2022 at 01:03:42
Appointing Sharpe and Barrett-Baxendale are examples of his ineptitude. The total demise of this club has the marks of his dirty hands all over it. Everton is his pride and joy, whether we are in the Premier League or League Two, he would try to hold on.
How many times have we all felt sick to the stomach after being stuffed by Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Norwich, Watford, Wigan or Tranmere? The list goes on and on.
How many stories like Kings Dock, Kirkby, Keith Wyness, AGM Bans, Allardyce and Benitez do we have to suffer?
Kenwright has destroyed us as a football institution and it's about time we let him know how we feel about him.
The club is sick, we're all sick of the club so let's make him feel sick too as he deserves it. No need for obscenities but as many banners out as possible in the hope that he finally feels as sick as we do and is forced to leave. He's a loser and, if he remains at the club, then that's how we will stay.
His ultimate goal now is to cut the ribbon for the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock and have a stand named after him. He does not deserve any of this because his meddling at the club is the reason we are looking at relegation again.
37 Posted 26/03/2022 at 03:44:48
I wonder if the Goodison screens show Kenwright again, would the happy clappers be out in force with their "He's one of us" bullshit? I get it the younger ones may only see what's in front of them and may not even care what's in the background.
Give Sharpy, Denise, Unsy, Dunc etc a bag for life from Tesco no more jobs for life. "Stand down if you love the Blues" – as the Blue Union once chanted.
38 Posted 26/03/2022 at 10:29:28
39 Posted 26/03/2022 at 10:37:31
He uses his apparent illnesss when the team are down, this time he told the fans, who were well behaved, that weve had “Some good times” yes good to him.
Ive even spoke to street wise Bluenoses who tell me “ Hes one of us” just amazes me that they can believe that, Ive met thousands of Everton fans over the years, genuine fans, never met one like Billy Boy because when I did meet him and tried to have a sensible conversation with him I realised I was talking to an arrogant man who was in love with his own ego, Id love to see the end of his time with Everton, doubt if I will, but it will be a very happy day for me and thousands like me.
40 Posted 26/03/2022 at 10:41:20
41 Posted 26/03/2022 at 10:50:10
The simple fact is Everton needs change at the top.
We are not realising our potential and have been and are being overtaken by clubs that don't have our potential.
Wake up Mr Moshiri and make change. Stop listening to the old guard who don't know what they are talking about and are out of touch, living in a 1960s to 1980s football world.
Modernise, restructure and progress.
42 Posted 26/03/2022 at 10:57:36
43 Posted 26/03/2022 at 11:21:26
44 Posted 26/03/2022 at 11:40:02
45 Posted 26/03/2022 at 11:43:37
46 Posted 26/03/2022 at 11:46:53
47 Posted 26/03/2022 at 11:53:12
48 Posted 26/03/2022 at 12:54:27
I'm sure the scouts (like most of us on ToffeeWeb) were fully aware of players like Eze, Olise, Bowen in the Championship and all the others abroad etc. Given the huge amount of scouting information in the public domain (let alone proper scouting circles) there aren't really a lot of hidden gems. They're all in plain sight in the French u-19s or the Eredivisie etc.
The issue is with the people sanctioning the deals, the lack of a real strategy, the interference and too many cooks etc.
It's just another example of how badly run we are.
49 Posted 26/03/2022 at 12:55:43
We need a long term plan and stick to it
We luckily managed to keep the Worlds Greatest Evertonian onboard but his underlings have failed him miserably
We need to bin Miss Dynamite asap and get a CEO who commands respect and has a business brain
Theres a guy called Hebblethwaite who will be available shortly. He should fit in seamlessly with us
50 Posted 26/03/2022 at 13:18:41
Clive, they are indeed marking their own homework and blindly giving themselves 9 out of 10 consistently. I'd love to see how an independent auditor would mark them.
On scouting, most know my views. As admirable as Everton in the community is, how about Everton in the football community? We are a football club, not a charity. Support, promote and invest in grass roots football. Make it better and then reap the benefits; the return of investment. That would be equally beneficial to the community and Everton Football Club.
For once I don't apologise for repeating myself. The talent is on our doorstep. Go and invest in it, develop it and then benefit from it.
51 Posted 26/03/2022 at 14:27:37
The board are predisposed to the Club and EitC whereas the support want the footy to quite rightly take precedence.
A bit pointless telling the world we gave more Heinz Baked Beans to the food banks while we got relegated.
52 Posted 28/03/2022 at 04:09:22
I looked up your quote on another thread which explains a lot in relation to Everton.
'There is a famous Peter Drucker quote that says that "culture eats strategy for breakfast". This implies that the culture of your company always determines success regardless of how effective your strategy may be. '
I think the Dan Purdy appointment is more cultural than strategic.
53 Posted 31/03/2022 at 15:47:44
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
1 Posted 23/03/2022 at 11:39:50