Everton's former chief executive officer Keith Wyness expressed his concern about the club’s “recruitment team” ahead of a busy summer. Wyness was CEO for five years between 2004 and 2009 during David Moyes’ first reign at the club.
There have been several changes to the backroom staff following the Friedkin Group’s takeover of the club. Director of Football Kevin Thelwell and Dan Purdy have departed for Rangers in Scotland and will not be replaced like-for-like at Everton. Instead, Angus Kinnear has taken over as the chief executive officer from Leeds United.
“I’m still concerned about the recruitment team. We still haven’t got the whole team in place, and Thelwell and Purdy have moved on.
“But in a funny way, this will play right into Moyes’s hands. Having worked with him for so many years, I know he will relish the ability to have control over most of the signings and he does know what he’s doing,” Wyness told Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast.
David Moyes understands players: Keith Wyness
Moyes began his second spell in January and replaced Sean Dyche with Everton lagging dangerously close to the relegation zone. They finished 13th in the league with 48 points and are preparing for a squad overhaul.
Wyness, who worked closely with Moyes for half a decade in the 2000s, believes he’s the “hardest-working guy in football” and watches a lot of players.
“There’s no doubt about it, he understands players,” Wyness continued.
“But the thing is, with the demands of a modern-day manager, does he have the time he used to, to be able to go out and see those players? He loves to do it. And he was the hardest-working guy in football. He was always on the road, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Wherever he could see a game, he’d go and see it.
“But now, these days, it’s a little bit harder to do that with the way things are going and a new stadium to get into and all sorts of things to adjust for.”
The Blues have already confirmed the departures of Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ashley Young, Joao Virginia, Asmir Begovic, Mason Holgate and Neal Maupay who will leave the club when their current contracts expire at the end of the month.
They have offered new contracts to Idrissa Gana Gueye and Seamus Coleman and are in negotiations with the representatives of Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Reader Comments (22)
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2 Posted 10/06/2025 at 12:21:07
3 Posted 10/06/2025 at 12:23:48
4 Posted 10/06/2025 at 12:25:50
I think you are wrong there — he never had any mates!
5 Posted 10/06/2025 at 12:49:30
Destination Kirkby would have given Everton more footfall, said Keith, which was nearly as good as the shout he come up with when Bestway said they would give Everton their land to build a new stadium in the district of Everton, about a 10 minutes walk from Lime Street Station, and Keith ruled this out because they would have had to build a couple of bridges.
6 Posted 10/06/2025 at 13:22:55
Moved to Australia and did pretty much the same through my 40s and 60s but not in the motor industry. Own business and you do what you have to do to survive and build. Well supported by my wife.
So I'm sure Davey's wife supports him! There are some really good times on the way!!
7 Posted 10/06/2025 at 13:31:26
8 Posted 10/06/2025 at 13:34:25
Although not directly connected to the club, Green wielded influence over the board, having helped Bill Kenwright get Everton. And, according to the BBC reporter, Moyes had to go to him with his transfer plans.
9 Posted 10/06/2025 at 13:35:26
10 Posted 10/06/2025 at 13:51:22
11 Posted 10/06/2025 at 13:53:14
It was never going to happen during the divide & conquer era of that great Evertonian — Blue Bill, but maybe it's time for you to get an independent fan group started yourself Danny!
12 Posted 10/06/2025 at 13:55:06
If that is true then he still knows all the details.
I know Tony Kelly, RIP mate, a solid Everton fan harassed Wyness from The Echo office in Old Hall Street, all the way down the street, asking “Go on, tell the story, let it all out!” with a smile on his face.
Wyness kept his mouth firmly shut before he finally cracked and shouted at Tony “Will you fuck off and leave me alone!” Tony did. But the story is still there.
13 Posted 10/06/2025 at 13:56:22
On one occasion, Moyes went to see Green with another Everton official about signing a player. Green had never heard of the player before and phoned his then (quite young) teenager son to ask if he had heard of the player on FIFA and if he was any good!
Not sure if we bought the player but that was how amateurish the club was being run back in the day.
14 Posted 10/06/2025 at 14:03:52
That's very reassuring — Pam eh? I thought her name was Moira but that was an Everton fan's tale of when the family went on holiday together— it seemed very believable.
16 Posted 10/06/2025 at 18:51:41
It often paid off but, the first time around, I do think he could have worked more on the mental side of the game for the players which might have avoided some of the atrocious meltdowns at the hands of Arsenal, United or our neighbours.
He did get a reputation for being a control freak but hopefully the new set up will give him the support he requires.
17 Posted 10/06/2025 at 20:44:28
I could probably get the dog to sign up;!!
18 Posted 11/06/2025 at 07:14:48
First trophy for us — more to come!
19 Posted 11/06/2025 at 09:37:03
20 Posted 11/06/2025 at 09:54:08
Yes, I think it was Morag — whatever the name, though, Eric she seemed very real to me, as did Davie!
21 Posted 11/06/2025 at 16:46:37
22 Posted 11/06/2025 at 18:06:03
I'm not sure if EIRE has an honours system but they should do something for Mr £60,000.
23 Posted 11/06/2025 at 18:11:24
It makes me cringe.
I'm really pleased for him, he deserves recognition for his service to football, but we are stepping into Geordie territory with their Kevin Keegan the Messiah of Newcastle territory with that phrase. We are definitely not them.
David Moyes OBE, Everton manager will do for me.
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1 Posted 10/06/2025 at 10:32:20
She must have bleedin' dreaded those Fridays!