Danny Donachie has sent a message of thanks to all those involved with Everton ahead of his departure from the club.
The ECHO understands that Donachie will leave his role as Everton’s director of medical services tomorrow - Friday, November 12 - following a review of the club’s medical department.
The highly respected physiotherapist is the son of former Blues assistant-manager Willie Donachie and first joined the club back in 2001 as head of manual therapy.
However, he departed the club in December 2014, but after a spell with Aston Villa as head of medicine and sports science, returned less than four years later.
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Initially taking up the position of head of therapy services, just over a year later, Donachie was promoted to the role of director of medical services.
And ahead of his departure, Donachie wrote on Twitter on Thursday night: “Too many life long friends to mention. You know who you are. I have been inspired by all of you time after time.
“My spirit will never be the same. What an incredible privilege to have been a custodian of this great club for so long.
"Separated by distance but never heart.”
Rafa Benitez initially brought James Harley as head of sports science with him to the club back in July, before Cristian Fernandez joined as a fitness rehabilitation coach last month amid a staffing review.
Both had worked with Benitez at Newcastle United, and speaking after Sunday’s draw with Tottenham, the Spaniard praised Fernandez’s work with Fabian Delph.
He said: “He (Delph) has been working with the new rehabilitation coach and came in stronger.
“But we have to know he's had injuries in the past and had 10 weeks off the pitch, so it's important to keep him fit so he can give us different options in the centre of the pitch.”
Speaking in October about his approach at the club, Benitez said: “I have a lot of confidence in my staff but if we have to do something then we will do it. One thing I want to be very clear is that I am trying to improve every single department. The fans, the club, the owners who have spent a lot of money, they are desperate to be competitive.
“I said in one press conference that eighth [place] means nothing to me and I really mean that. I don’t want to stay here and try to survive. I want to be sure I can improve anything with my experience, my view and my staff.”
Blues boss Benitez revealed earlier this week that his coaching staff are working hard behind the scenes to bring back a number of important players to his Everton side.
Benitez was without the quartet of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes for the 0-0 draw with Antonio Conte’s side on Sunday.
But the Everton boss is hopeful that he will be able to welcome back some of his injured stars for the Premier League clash with Manchester City a week on Sunday.
He said: “We are working on that, we brought in a rehabilitation coach [Cristian Fernandez, appointed in October] to be sure we could be a little bit stronger.
“Delph is an example of that. We are bringing back some important players and, hopefully, we can bring back some of the important players we are missing at the moment.”
