Everton are chasing a new director of football – and former Preston North End man Kevin Thelwell could make the move to Goodison Park.
The Toffees saw Marcel Brands walk out of the club towards the back end of 2021, and they had to go through January without a transfer chief.
Everton are now looking to land a replacement, and Thelwell is believed to be a main contender for the job.
The Daily Mail report that Thelwell has admirers inside Goodison Park and he could be appointed as Brands’ replacement.
The favourite for the job is former Tottenham man Steve Hitchen, but Thelwell is right up there with him with an appointment expected soon.
Some Preston fans may recognise Thelwell’s name as he actually worked at North End near the beginning of his career.
After coaching with the Welsh FA for nearly seven years, Thelwell moved to Preston back in 2004.
Thelwell served as Preston’s Head of Youth but left after just a year, moving on to Derby County.
Thelwell’s rise since then has been amazing, moving on to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2008, where things really took off.
After initially being an academy manager at Molineux, Thelwell stepped up into a recruitment role and ended up becoming sporting director.
Thelwell played a key role in shaping Wolves through the Fosun International, building the club on and off the pitch.
In February 2020, Thelwell left Wolves for MLS side New York Red Bulls, taking on the huge role of Head of Sport with the American side.
Nobody could begrudge Thelwell a big move to New York, but he could trade that for the more modest surrounding of Liverpool.
Preston played a big part in Thelwell’s development as a coach and director, and North End would no doubt love to have somebody like Thelwell running things right now.