Everton to appoint Leeds' Kinnear as chief executive

Angus Kinnear has been at Leeds United since 2017

Everton will appoint Angus Kinnear as their new chief executive, with the Leeds United CEO beginning the role on 1 June.

The 47-year-old has been at the West Yorkshire club since 2017 and oversaw promotion to the Premier League three years later, as well as the ownership transition to 49ers Enterprises in 2023 and the club's purchase of Elland Road.

The Toffees have been without a permanent chief executive since the departure of Denise Barrett-Baxendale in June 2023, with Colin Chong acting in an interim role since.

Everton executive chairman Marc Watts said: "Angus is one of England's leading football executives and brings a wealth of relevant experience.

"His appointment means Everton will go into the summer with a first-class leader."

Everton have also announced changes in their executive structure with director of football Kevin Thelwell leaving the club at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Chief commercial and communications officer Richard Kenyon will also be leaving the club, with new appointments in the executive leadership team to be announced in due course.

Everton said they will "transition from a single director of football to a wider sporting leadership team".

The club added "planning for the summer transfer window is already under way" being led by the sporting department and manager David Moyes.

Thelwell worked under spending constraints

Since the start of the 2022-23 season, when Thelwell oversaw his first transfer window, Everton have implemented considerable cost-cutting measures to balance the books and are the only Premier League club during that period with a positive net spend of £80m.

But despite receiving two deductions totalling eight points after an appeal for breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) last season, the club have managed to survive in the top flight and are 15 points clear of the bottom three.

Thelwell sanctioned the signings of 22 players - with significant fees paid only for players aged 25 or under - and either sold or released 26 players, particularly those who were older and high-earning.

The largest transfer outlay was on Amadou Onana for £33m from Lille in 2022, and the Belgium midfielder went on to join Aston Villa in the summer for £50m.

Watts added: "Kevin has been integral in ensuring Premier League survival in this difficult period.

"By resolving Profit and Sustainability issues through significant player trading we believe we have an extraordinary squad that can be the foundation for future success."

What changes have taken place at Leeds?

Championship club Leeds have moved to appoint former Premier League and Football Association (FA) chairman Peter McCormick as their executive vice-chairman.

Sources say McCormick is not a replacement for Kinnear but the two will work alongside each other and the board until the end of the season, with the club then reviewing its management structure.

Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe said: "I want to thank Angus for his commitment and service for so many years and for being a fantastic steward and leader of the club.

"As we move forward, I am confident that the incredible talent across our team will sustain our success."

Leeds are currently top of the Championship, three points clear of second-placed Sheffield United, and aiming to return to the Premier League following relegation in the 2022-23 season.