Everton insider: ‘I know Angus Kinnear well, he’s spent years fighting strange owners’
Everton have been without a permanent CEO since Denise Barrett-Baxendale’s resignation in the summer of 2023 – with Colin Chong taking on the role on an interim basis.
The Daily Mail has reported (26 February) Everton are closing in on a deal for Leeds United CEO Angus Kinnear, but he won’t make the move until the end of this season.
Kinnear has been with Leeds since 2017 after spells with West Ham and Arsenal as managing director and director of marketing respectively.
The Friedkin Group (TFG) are looking to appoint a new CEO as they prepare to move into the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium in time for the 2025-26 campaign.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has had his say on Kinnear’s potential arrival.
Kinnear will ‘have his hands full’ at Everton, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness has insisted Kinnear will face a “huge challenge” with TFG pursuing “relentless revenue increases” at Everton going forwards.
Deloitte’s 2025 Money League revealed Everton’s overall revenue increased from £172million in 2022-23 to £183million last season.
Wyness claimed Kinnear has had to “focus on firefighting” during his time at Leeds – and could face a big challenge as TFG look to “take Everton to the next level”.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 14 | Man United | 27 | 33 | -6 |
| 15 | West Ham | 27 | 33 | -15 |
| 16 | Everton | 27 | 32 | -4 |
| 17 | Wolves | 27 | 22 | -19 |
| 18 | Ipswich Town | 27 | 17 | -31 |
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I know Angus, we’ve been around the block together in the football world as chief execs.
“I think he’s been with Leeds for eight years. Angus is a very nice guy and a very safe pair of hands.
“The issue which will be a huge challenge is with The Friedkin Group wanting a relentless pursuit of revenue increases at the club going forwards.
“I don’t know if Angus has had the experience of taking clubs to that new level.
“If you look at his history with Leeds, he’s had years fighting with some strange owners and also fighting up and down from the Premier League to the Championship.
“He’s had to focus on firefighting rather than transforming Leeds’ revenues.
“That’s something they’ll have to look at, and he’ll have to show that he’s got the innovation and the thought process of taking Everton to the next level.
“There’s no doubt that with the new stadium, the new owners will want to establish Everton right back at the very top in terms of football brands internationally.
“He’ll have to put a whole international strategy in place, and I don’t know if he’s been able to do that with Leeds.
“I wish him all the luck and I’ll do whatever I can to help him, but certainly he’ll have his hands full trying to please the new owners.”
Everton plan to give Branthwaite new contract
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (4 March) that Everton will “do everything” to keep Jarrad Branthwaite at the club.
David Moyes’ side are plotting contract talks with Branthwaite as they attempt to tie him down to an improved, long-term deal.
Everton want to fend off interest in the England international, with Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid among the sides keen on Branthwaite.
For more Everton and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.