Keith Wyness reveals what he’s heard about Everton’s new arrival – ‘I’ve been checking him out’
Everton are in the midst of a summer rebuild, not only in terms of player incomings and outgoings, but also behind the scenes.
Football Insider exclusively revealed last week (18 June) that Nick Cox was set to be appointed by Everton as their new technical director, and the news was confirmed two days later.
Cox makes the switch from Manchester United, where he has held the director of the Academy role since 2019.
On the pitch, the Toffees have already kicked off their transfer business in the summer window, bringing Carlos Alcaraz to the club on a permanent basis following a successful loan in the 2024-25 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 – says that it is still uncertain how Cox will deal with the step up in responsibility.
‘Cox has a good repuation’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness revealed that he had been asking around about Cox, and had heard a lot of positives among the football community.
The 47-year-old had spells at Watford and Sheffield United, before helping overhaul the youth system at Man United, which culminated in FA Youth Cup success in 2022.
However, Wyness has warned that working in senior football is completely different.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I’ve been doing a fair bit of checking about Mr Cox and certainly he has a good reputation amongst the youth development area.
“He’s seen as a bit of a purist, if you like, about his ideals and the way he wants to go.
“Now, that’s okay, but in the real world of football, as we know, it’ll be about managing egos and personalities, and this is probably a promotion for him.
“So while I would say he’s got a good chance, it’s still to be seen how he develops in terms of working with people and creating the environment, and really leading people forward.
“But certainly no bad knocks against him, just he’s got to prove himself at this level now.”
‘Everton to miss out on Ferguson’
Meanwhile, Everton could reportedly be set to miss out on the signing of Evan Ferguson.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who claims that Celtic are confident they can beat both the Toffees and Nottingham Forest to a deal.
Brown added that Celtic believe their ability to offer him guaranteed playing time and Champions League football could give them an edge in the race.