Nick Hammond’s past transfer success stories as recruiter starts work at Everton

Far too many articles and the odd Everton related error.

I lived in Japan for just short of 3 years - and I have been back several times since and played in a football tournament in Japan. There is a lot of untapped talent in the country and the Japanese players and sports folk in general are very dedicated and look after themselves too (I fought over in Japan on the unlicenced scene and was involved in reffing, corner work etc. so I have seen this first hand), so yeah - I think it is well worth looking at the Japanese market as football has really taken off there in recent decades - and some!

Correction - just short of 6 years!

Energy, what sport doesn’t produce better results when the energy levels are higher?

I also believe that the Japanese, are very humble people, and think this is something that goes a long way in a team sport?

I met some right cockey Japanese too, but generally yes, a humble culture.

Teams could do a lot worse than go down the Japanese route for players.

“Great food and copious drinks. Shame the chefs a koppite🫣”

Kopites are gobshites. Every single one of them (delete/insert preferred word)

Kopites are gobshites, even little

I'll just leave it there.

kopite = 1P = 1 gobshite = 20 Evertonians

Kopite is more a descriptor than simply a noun derived from a verb.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kris-commons-insists-celtic-transfer-23378510

Any manager / DoF / recruitment specialist makes good acquirements and makes some that don't come off. We could list them for countless managers and DoF over the years.

And let's not forget, Howard Kendall's first round of around 8 signings (don't quote me), were forgettable. Apart from Southall and Kendall himself, signing himself on a free!!

I doubt very much that when approached and he went through the interview process, he focussed on his failings. And the club won't be focussed on that. It will be what he has achieved.

We can judge him on what he does at Everton. There will be good signings, there will be those that don't meet expectation. It's never been any different for a variety of reasons.

I don't see the point in wanting to draw out the negatives before this guy has even influenced the first Everton signing under the new recruitment structure.

1Evertonian = 20 kopites. All with 1P, well 20p, which is 4 Bob in old money.

A case of meaning what I say Instead saying what I mean or something
Nurse!

✅ Top 5 Signings

1. Bruno Guimarães (Lyon → Newcastle, Jan 2022)
A transformational signing – quickly became a Brazil international, and was named 10/10 by Yorkshire Evening Post for his impact .

2. Kieran Trippier (Atlético Madrid → Newcastle, Jan 2022)
A bargain at ~£12 m, he led Newcastle's defense into Champions League qualification — also rated 10/10 .

3. Jeremie Frimpong (Man City → Celtic, 2019)
Came from Man City for ~£300 k, developed impressively before being sold to Bayer Leverkusen for around £11.5 m .

4. Kieran Tierney (Celtic → Arsenal, 2019)
Celtic’s record sale of £25 m – a profitable move for both player and club .

5. Saido Berahino (West Brom → Stoke, 2017)
While his later career didn’t match early promise, it was a significant £12 m sale during Hammond's time at West Brom .

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⚠️ 5 Worst Signings

From his time at Celtic, several high-profile signings underperformed and tarnished the club’s season:

Vasilis Barkas (~£4.5 m) – struggled defensively

Albian Ajeti (~£5 m) – failed to impress up front

Shane Duffy (loan) – disastrously poor performances

Patryk Klimala – negligible impact

Diego Laxalt – flattered to deceive, didn't hold up

These signings drew major criticism, including from pundit Chris Sutton, who questioned Hammond’s judgement .

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🏆 Overall Evaluation

✅ Successes:

Reading: Thirteen years in management, overseeing two promotions and breaking the Championship points record — strong long-term impact.

West Brom: Mixed – built squads but faced relegation and was sacked in 2018 due to poor results .

Newcastle: Excellent short-term impact — five crucial January signings helped stabilize the side and propel them up the table .

✳️ Shortcomings:

Celtic: High-profile flops that arguably cost them the title and Champions League ambitions; public and fan backlash was significant .

🗣️ Fan & Analyst Sentiment:

Derned both “woeful” and “mess of a window” comments during his Celtic tenure .

Yet praised by supporters at Newcastle and Leeds for bringing structure and quality signings .

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💡 Verdict – “Good” DoF?

Strengths

Has an eye for bargain talent and proven resale value (e.g., Tierney, Frimpong).

Excellent short-term impact in crisis – especially at Newcastle’s rescue window.

Weaknesses

Inconsistent long-term squad-building, with several high-profile failures (like Celtic's summer 2020 window).

Mixed results across different levels: stellar at Reading, shaky at West Brom, flawed at Celtic.

Conclusion
Nick Hammond is best seen as a skilled short-term fixer with strong scouting and trading acumen, capable of delivering impactful, cost-effective signings. However, his long-term squad-building appears uneven, especially demonstrated by his stint at Celtic. So, is he a “good” DoF? Context matters — he excels in transitional or rescue roles but less so when tasked with sustained rebuilds under high expectations.

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Bottom Line: Hammond’s career is a rollercoaster — landmark signings and promotions balanced against costly misfires. He’s a high-upside option in the right context but not a universally dependable long-term architect.

Link

Link

https://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/best-ever-everton-banner.118035/

https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=4d4f3a802724b7ea&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBGB962GB962&q=kopites+are+gobshites+flag&udm=2&fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZ1Y6MJ25_tmWITc7uy4KIeioyp3OhN11EY0n5qfq-zEMZldv_eRjZ2XLYc5GnVnME7glWodDcaQwvGYJtospyF4hao4VocMoniUVvlzzwRcCLYvfsjPeiuln4CZ9mxRNzMJl71rp-WEM_b89yTboF0wE9FSbwRYrSVuB6YHexvLk_d7r_74zDurdYUrhSbdL5TbQGiA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiG9-2IruuNAxVAXUEAHWCyCOgQtKgLegQIGBAB&biw=2048&bih=1018&dpr=1.25#vhid=7xMCLB4E-NUK7M&vssid=mosaic

It's ALWAYS been one p ffs.

When you are being outmuscled financially by Ipswich you know things are bad.

Ray, all the way back at 10, I saw that about Thierry Small and my first thought was that perhaps the only thing great about him was his first name. Only 20.

I also saw that Isaac Price had scored his 9th goal Northern Ireland and had fairly recently turned up at West Brom after he went off to Standard Liege. We all love a stat, he's scored 2 goals at club level. Isaac's 21.

Both players are still young enough to make a great career for themselves but you are right about agents.

Hopefully, Nick Hammond can use his knowledge to recruit some decent players.

As quoted: "Unprecedented in Premier League history".

Tim Cahill versus Per Kroldrup.

All opinions Martin @47, but a mess? Tarkowski, McNeil, Jimmy Garner, the re-signing of Gana (Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season). The yet to be proven Chermiti and of course Jake O'Brien. Ndiaye and Alcaraz. Iroegbunam (Tim), who, injury free could turn out to be a good player for us. The marmite that is Beto.

Yes, some questionable ones, Maupay and Harrison spring to mind. Some would say Onana, but at least we made a decent profit on moving him onto Villa.

Not a bad return. A core to build on.

Operating under austere conditions with the dark clouds of PSR, a points deduction, disruption at board level and uncertainty with regards to the takeover, I don't think he left a mess. He actually did a good job in the circumstances in my opinion.

Thelwell, whilst not perfect, managed to improve our squad whilst having a negative net spend and the lowest in the league.

He bought in Ndiaye, O'Brien and McNeil on low fees and made a decent profit on Onana. Only real blip was Maupay who didn't end up being expensive.

You and I have had many a debate over DOFs although Hammond is coming in as part of the recruitment team rather than as a DOF. I think what happened with Jake O,Brien was a classic example of what can happen when I DOF buys a player and for some reason the manager doesn't fancy him. I know David Moyes isn't a big fan of the DOF model and quite rightly as he says its his head thats on the chopping block if results don't work out, so he wants the final say on who comes and goes, and for me thats how it should be.

Hammond is not a DoF. I sense (don't know), that he will be the business oversight of the recruitment team and the link to the board and CEO. Advising the recruitment team, which I understand could still include a Director of Sport being parachuted in at some point. This will take the pressure off the manager, who can just tell them who / what he wants. But it will take time for the new structure to settle and function.

The whole recruitment and academy management process has become too big a task for a manager to deal with on his own in my view.

I think you could say he was a failure, for me Thelwell did very well under the circumstances he worked under, was he dismissed by the new owners or was it his own decision to move on?

There are a few Martins on the board and on days like today, I wondered what I've said with so many "Shut your gob, Martin" comments. It wasn't me this time.

Just sounds like a managerial, organisational and logistics role to me. Probably just end up in long meetings and appraisals all day if my experience is anything to go by.

I agree that the academy definitely needs sorting out, as we need to start producing better quality youngsters. Certainly Harrison Armstrong looks a very promising youngster.

I know Dave Abrahams keeps a far closer eye on the youngsters than me, so it would be interesting to hear Dave's thoughts on what he thinks needs to be done at Academy level.

I have a feeling that Seamus might be handed the role of looking after the academy and for me that would be a positive step. As he would instil what is needed to become a first team player.

If he was that good, then player signings would have been way better. He would always be in a position to hold the upper hand and would not have to leave the club decimated of signed players. Claiming another unwanted record.
Alcaraz was the only decent player out of many we had on loan.

The couple of signings you can mention are much outweighed by the many terrible ones. It is opinion of course regarding good or bad. But Chermiti and Tim. Seriously!!

We were in a position where we needed players able to cope with the Premier League. They were just two of the bunch that neither Dyche or Moyes ever start or, on the odd occasion they did, they were flops.

Last January, he failed again to sign a striker or any player really capable of scoring.Lack of pace and passing ability is a hallmark of this (his) team.

But if you guys think that is a job well done then we are at opposite ends of the blue spectrum.

What is your opinion on the players we watch week in week out?

On another thread, you are dismissing Everton signing two players because they would cost too much and we can't afford them with the limited amount of money available this close season.

Don't you think that was what Thelwell had to put up with and a lot less money to spend, if any?

Martin F you are right (and I don't think anyone disagrees) that the squad is a complete mess. The difference in opinion is why. I see you dodged the question at post 50.

Maybe you do have a yacht and a Lamborghini, lucky thing.

I, like you don't watch the academy teams as much as I'd like to, but I do feel strongly about it.

It does need an overhaul. From what I am led to understand, Thelwell was laying the foundations. The thing with academies, is that you won't realise the benefits for a few years. It isn't instant.

In my opinion, Harrison Armstrong should become part of the first team squad next season. I know that not everyone will agree with that. I still harbour hopes for Roman Dixon, who I also think would benefit from being in the first team squad.

And I've liked the look of Braiden Graham, also the centre back Reece Welch in the little I've seen of them. Can they make the step up? That's for the manager and coaching staff to decide.

I know it's a global game now, but there is so much talent on our own doorstep, right in front of our nose. Forget them, Manchester United and Manchester City. Flex your muscles Everton and stamp our authority.

I was dubious about the calls for Seamus to become part of the coaching staff, but hoped there would be a role for him at the club. That could be a good call bringing him in at academy level.

I watched most games at the season end on stream or live and I saw a potentially very good squad playing very, very well and with great potential.

I hate the money associated with the top of the game now but, like most, it is in my blood and there is nothing I can do. The differential between top and bottom is perhaps the driving force that gets so many young lads into the game. They aren't all getting £100k a week in the Premier League.

Have a butchers!! Footy Headlines.

That's where I found it.

Tthis has been the biggest cause of hardly any outstanding players ready for the first team coming through, although Harrison Armstrong seems ready to be part of the first team squad and the young Irish lad, Braiden Graham, could be another.

The way these young lads have been coached seems lacking to me, with a few good lads in the U18s last season, I expected more but they were disappointing to watch and individual natural talent seemed to be sacrificed for bland team work.

I think a good experienced coach used to coaching young players is needed. I don't think Leighton Baines had time to prove his worth at this level and he is now the first team coach.

Maybe Seamus could be the answer or maybe headhunting a proven coach at this level would be more productive — at the moment, the U18s and U21s coahing staff need a very good looking at.

The mess which I mention and (I think) Martin F alludes to is the fact that we only have about 11 first team squad players without a big question mark over them - and some of them aren't very good.

We'll re-sign a few etc but despite some talent it is a mess.

Pix. I rate him no1 in the world as stated in other threads

RB - Situation Vacant unless OBee is there.

LB - Requires fixing. Works well sometimes.

CB's - Probably the best in the league

LM Illy is top class

RM - Situation Vacant

CM One of the pistons starting to look old and worn. Wont last much longer. The other isn't suited. None of the spares are either

CF - Misfiring. The other we have is broken. The borrowed one useless.

Att Mid - wasted a lot of money there. Wasnt good. But might have something in a new Charley.

Spares.

Out of them all we only have a Dwight that performs well in places but hasnt got a full performance in it.

The other slighted but loyal Keane stays around and whilst frustrating and at times hapless can shine.

Nothing else worth a brass farthing

I would welcome Grealish and his +1. Reality is.
I've said that there and here.

Yes. I have a Lambo on a low loader. What with its inconsistent and fiery engine breakdown recovery costs a fortune. It has a half-life of a footballer.

Plus the low loader is great for getting it over the speed bumps. My last yacht got sunk when it collided with my rubber duck in the bath.

It depends who you want to blame. I personally don't blame Thelwell. It goes back before him.

Dave @66. It is a different skill coaching youth players than seniors.

I know you've probably heard me say this before, but at academy level, the focus should be on development, not results-obsessed and over-coaching.

A personal view. Yes, every coach and player wants to win a game at every level, but at youth level, it isn't the be-all and end-all. It's about improving players, so they can hopefully progress to the next level.

I'm old-fashioned in that, the more traditional, the better. Plain Royal Blue for me, Jeff.

The Evertonian Mackem. Not even worth debating. England's number one. I wouldn't go as far as the world mind!!

Right back. Yes. A gaping hole. Overlooked for years.

Left Back. Mykolenko improved once in a more settled defence in an improving team, but back up or enhancement would / is welcome.

Center backs. Absolutely agree. The dilemma will be once we have a right back and all three, plus back up (Keane - negotiations still ongoing), are fit, who do we choose. It's good to have the options.

Centre Midfield. I wouldn't say old and worn. He's proven that all season and did against England. Yes, he hasn't got long left if he stays, but he's playing like a 25 year old. Garner is underrated, but we do need more creativity in there.

Depending on formation, McNeil, Alcaraz and Ndiaye isn't too shabby. Plus, I would imagine we would be looking for an additional right midfielder.

Centre forwards. I think we've done that enough on another thread. Who knows what will happen with Dominic? We've still yet to see what the young Chermiti can do with a run of games and Beto, as misfiring as he may be, I reckon (just my view), he could be worth up to 15 goals in a full season.

So, whilst understanding your view, I don't think Thelwell has left us in a mess. If anything, he has patched up the mess his predecessors left and done the best job he could have done with the constraints imposed upon him.

As I keep saying, we've built the core of a decent side. Now to fill in the gaps and add to it.

A mess for sure… but less of a mess than where we were when the takeover happened?

I look at the future rather than the past and, while we do have some problem positions, the quality of the squad is quite good and exceptional in some key positions. The problem areas are clear and the solutions too.

Our attacking midfield is almost there and has potential to improve with even just one good buy. Against Fulham and Newcastle, I saw an exceptional squad and even subs. Newcastle was one of the best fluid defensive performances that I have seen for many years.

Just 4 or 5 decent buys and some promotions could see Everton transform from a grub to a butterfly. We must know who our targets are now.

Two players could be key next year and save us many millions are Mike O'Lenko, the Ukrainian Irish left-back, and Dwight McNeil. I saw signs that both have stepped up a level.

If Patterson could just take that step up too, we could be in a magnificent position and not rely so much on buys.

1. That home one looks awful. Keep it simple.

2. The away kit should be amber, blue, amber.

3. Sock debate. Blue, white or black?

4. Why have the crest? We haven't always. I would personally like the new simplified version of Prince Rupert's Tower maybe with the diagonal and simple 70s style "EFC" scrolled underneath it.

The club crest is the club crest and can be displayed on the stadium and surroundings.

I sometimes wish they would consider pushing out prospective designs to the supporters to vote on.

Let's see what they come up with.

Nothing can be as bad as the Lineker white bib top or that non-royal blue one-to-one top.

Yes, I know and agree with the difference coaching youth players and seniors but these are lads who have got or are close to getting professional contracts and should be allowed to show their individual styles not just doing the elementary moves that they should know when they are a lot younger, it seems to me when I watch them that they keep that special skill they've got mostly to themselves instead of being encouraged to use that flair more often as long as they don't overdo it at the expense of the team.

By the way did great managers and coaches in the past have to have coaching badges or did they just use the skill and knowledge of the game that had throughout their playing career even if some of them were not noted for their playing ability.

I was amazed to learn how highly rated Leslie Shannon, remember the name? No I bet you don't!, was rated by other professional managers and coaches, Leslie was an average player, to me, with Liverpool and Burnley but was highly thought of as a coach.

Thelwell oversaw the permanent signing of:

Tarkowski, McNeill, Garner, Onana, Gueye, O’Brien and Ndiaye.

Surely none of the above would be classified as terrible signings?

Beto is divisive but has begun to show his worth. And though I’m not a fan of Iroegbunam he’s very young and not sure we’ve seen enough to judge him and Chermitti yet? Both may still be sold for profit.

Maupay was terrible admittedly. But no-one’s record is perfect.

Thelwell gets a 7/10 from me. Think he’ll do well at Rangers.

I like the idea of players being allowed to be natural, but to a point. Yes, you have to teach them positional play, but at a certain point in time. Don't restrict them too early.

The Dutch system of rotating young players around different positions until they are a certain age, has always impressed me. They don't fix them in positions, because you never really know where a player will settle or physically grow. But if they've never played there, they won't know how to play there and it gets to a point when it's too late to teach them new arts.

Yes, allow them to play their game, but gradually bring in the importance of working for the team. I guess my point, is never knock the football out of them.

No, I don't recall Leslie Shannon. A lot of the best managers over the years were not the best players. Sir Alex and Wenger are the obvious ones I think of.

If you're asking me personally, I don't care for badges. I went up to FA Level 2 and was in preparation for L3 until the employers had different ideas for me. It doesn't matter as long as you understand football and the players can see that.

What matters is that you can explain to footballers the shapes and patterns of play. Not a football specific technique, but I alway used a method I was taught. It's called EDIP. Explain, Demonstrate, Imitate, Practice. Explain and demonstrate are on the coach. Imitate and practice on the players.

Using an example, when in a defensive posture, make the pitch small. Go compact.
The back four were instructed to stay tight and not worry if a winger was getting his studs white on the chalk. Leave him. If the ball goes to him, we can go and deal with that eventuality if it happens and shift the defence across to the situation. But don't go too early, as it opens up the defence and makes space for the opposition.

But when you turn around possession, that's when you make the pitch big and create space.

It's not a technical game in my mind, just simple basics. Don't confuse players. We are a simple breed.

Well, we used to be. Those days are gone for me.

I have to admit, when I get in the ground early enough, I observe the warm up as much as I do the match!! I could do a report on it.

Apologies if long-winded. I could talk about this for almost as long as I can talk about Everton.

I personally think he deserves a lot more credit than he gets.

One of the funniest is when Stuart Pearce advertises his electrics shop in the Forest programme. He is an ex electrician and his brother runs the place.
Cloughie walks into the changing room. With a heavy looking carrier bag.
Puts it in the centre of the floor of the changing room before the game. Pearce is Forest and England Captain.
The team talk goes something like this
"This is my club. My ground. My Football programme. Who here has put an advert in my football programme ?"
Players looking perplexed and at each other. Sheepishly Pearce puts his hand up and says he did.
Clough then starts ripping into him. Asking him if he had asked his permission to put the ad in 'his' programne. Hilarious. After which he hands Pearce the heavy carrier bag. Pearce takes out an iron.
Cloughie says, "It wont work. My missus needs it fixing."
Unbelievable. Pearce did repair it !!!

He had a go at Franz Carr, one of his young players, who was dithering over signing a new contract, so Franzs' dad had a good go back at Clough and told him to put a sock in it, on the front page of the next games programme was a photo of Clough with a sock in his gob!

I've said it before: to me, coaches badges are like union cards of the past… without the cards, you never got the job — but the cards never proved you were any good at doing the job.