Everton are working through the "final details" on creating a role for Leighton Baines after talks with the former club left-back.
Baines turned down the chance of a new one-year contract at Goodison earlier this summer and following the end of the season decided to retire from playing.
Carlo Ancelotti made it clear the club would do all it could to retain Baines' services in an off-field role and, in a letter to supporters tonight, Denise Barrett-Baxendale has revealed the club are close to announcing an agreement with Baines.
Talks have been on-going between the 35-year-old, the chief executive and director of football Marcel Brands and Barrett-Baxendale has described the potential new position as "great" for the club.
"I can assure you we did everything we could to extend Leighton’s playing career with us - although we completely respect his decision and wish him well for his future," the chief exec wrote.
"As our Chairman said in his tribute to one of the best left-backs ever to have graced Goodison and the Premier League, Leighton knows the love and respect that Evertonians feel towards him…and that’s what really matters to him.
"Marcel and I have been working behind-the-scenes with Leighton over the last few weeks and are excited about how we might be able to continue a relationship with him in future.
"We’re currently working through some of the final details, which we believe will be great for Leighton and for our football club.
"While we’re not in a position to confirm this yet, I assure you that you will be the first to know – as I know how much Leighton means to you and how interested you’ll be in any role we confirm with him."
Everton, meanwhile, have confirmed that all season ticket holders will be offered a refund for all matches that are played behind closed doors.
The Blues' first home game of the season - against West Brom on September 19 - will be without fans.
Everton say they are working on plans for the reintroduction of some fans - possibly from October - and how best to allocate seats in a reduced capacity at Goodison.
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"As you would expect, a major area of focus for the Club is ensuring we can welcome you back to Goodison Park as soon as it is safe to do so - and we are working closely with the Premier League to make this happen," she added.
"It is now certain that the opening fixtures of the 2020/21 Premier League season will be played behind closed doors. I would like to reassure all 2020/21 Season Ticket Members that a refund will be available for each fixture that is played behind closed doors.
"Details of the refund process will be shared in the coming weeks. We will ensure that process is straightforward, just as it was for the 2019/20 refunds.
"When it is safe to reintroduce supporters into the stadium, it is likely to be at a reduced capacity.
"Our ticketing team is working on what we believe is the most robust and fair allocation system and information on this will be shared as soon as it is possible to do so. Please be assured our aim is to get us all back together, safely, as soon as it is practicable."
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