Everton have made two new appointments as work to overhaul the club's football operation continues behind the scenes.
Lee Sargeson has joined as head of scouting operations and Dan Micciche has taken the role of player development lead coach. They are the latest changes at the club's Finch Farm training complex as part of a revamp lead by director of football Kevin Thelwell.
Since he joined the club 12 months ago, Thelwell has overseen the appointment of more than two dozen members of staff - including to the roles of academy director, loan pathway manager and head of sports science.
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Sargeson moves to Everton after more than five years working in the scouting setup at Brighton, currently hailed as one of the most impressive recruitment systems in European football as the south coast club continues to progress despite the high profile sales of key players such as Ben White, Marc Cucurella and Leandro Trossard. He previously held roles at Aston Villa and Bolton. His appointment follows the move of Dan Purdy to become head of recruitment.
Micciche is set to work with senior academy players on their development, including starlets out on loan. His career to date has seen him work with talented prospects for England and at Arsenal, while he also played a role in the progression of Everton player Dele Alli, currently on loan at Besiktas, while at MK Dons.
The appointments follow 12 months of change behind the scenes at Finch Farm, where Thelwell is implementing principles highlighted by a strategic review of the club's footballing operation and a separate 120 point plan drawn up upon his own examination of the setup he inherited. The club hopes the work will pave the way for sustainable, long-term progress by improving the academy setup and pathway of youth players to the first team. That work has continued against the background of the first team's struggles which led to the dismissal of Frank Lampard, whose appointment was said to have been inspired by the strategic review, last month.
Other significant appointments include Brian Sorensen as manager of Everton Women, Jack Nayler as head of sports science, Carl Darlington as head of academy coaching and Sean Miller as physical performance coach.
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