Manchester United Academy Director Nick Cox has left the club to become Everton’s Technical Director.
The move ends Cox’s nine-year United tenure, during which time 35 United academy players graduated to the first team.
Among that number are Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, Dean Henderson, and Anthony Elanga. United’s under-18s also became FA Youth Cup champions in 2022 under his leadership.
His new role at the Hill Dickinson Stadium features a broad remit - he is expected to take charge of most of the club’s performance-related branches, including the medical, operations, facilities and player care departments. He will also oversee the academy.
On leaving United, Cox said he was proud to have helped to develop the club’s next generation.
He said: “Youth development is an important part of the lifeblood of this club, having the responsibility of supporting this generation of young people and staff to ensure that the system continues to thrive has been an immense privilege.
“Working alongside some of the most talented and dedicated youth developers in the world has been a huge honour.”
Cox is one of four major appointments to Everton’s ‘football leadership team’ announced today. The club is in the midst of a restructuring following the Friedkin Group’s takeover.
James Smith, formerly of the City Football Group, joins as Director of Scouting and Recruitment, while data consultant Chris Howarth has been brought in to help shape ‘football strategy’. Former Leeds and Newcastle coach Nick Hammond will play a key role in transfers, tasked with leading ‘player trading activity’.
Everton’s CEO Angus Kinnear described his new coworkers as ‘exceptional operators’.
“I’m delighted with the appointments,” he declared. “Their CVs speak for themselves - they are exceptional operators, hugely respected in the game and an example of the ambition we hold as a Club in ensuring the pathways and structures in place across our football operations are of the very highest standard.”
