Keith Wyness ‘surprised’ after Everton hire – ‘I don’t know if this is the right move’
Everton could have turned to existing staff to oversee the club’s future strategy instead of agreeing a new hire.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, amid the latest development behind the scenes at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Merseyside club have hired Chris Chiang from Manchester United to take up the role of Head of Football Planning.
Chiang will be in charge of long-term planning and strategy as Everton look to increase revenue and close the gap to the Premier League’s top six clubs.
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VISIT THE EVERTON FINANCE HUBChris Chiang joins Everton with ‘good reputation’
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 – thinks the club could be lacking cohesion hiring more people behind the scenes.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness can’t see why Everton’s current chief executive can’t oversee the club’s strategy.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, yeah, football planning, another new title coming into the backroom. It’s amazing what the football side keep on thinking up these days.
“Well, Chris Chiang, he comes with a good reputation. I think he’s got a KPMG background, so you can be sure his PowerPoints will all be very good and well thought through. Look, it’s supposed to be, in theory, about having the more strategic view that all the decisions have got some cohesion.
“What I’m surprised about is that that sort of thing can’t be done anyway. Really, I mean, I know in my time as chief executive, I sort of oversaw the grand strategy, and I’m surprised that we can’t do that just now.
“There seems to be enough bodies around there. And of course, the reality is, yes, you need cohesion, but that should come automatically out of discussion and being close together. And I think cohesion does come from having fewer bodies, not more. And so I just don’t know if this is the right move, but certainly he comes with a decent reputation.”
Julian Brandt interest emerges at Everton
Sources have told Football Insider that Everton are keeping tabs on Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt ahead of a possible summer move.
Brandt has confirmed he is leaving the Bundesliga club when his contract expires at the end of the season, meaning Everton would be able to sign the 29-year-old on a free transfer.
The midfielder has contributed six goals and three assists in 20 Bundesliga appearances this season, whilst he also has extensive experience in the Champions League.
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