Everton have made Steve Hitchen their lead target to replace Marcel Brands as director of football.
Hitchen, who left his position as Tottenham’s director of technical performance last week, is emerging as the Toffees’ first-choice to take up the vacancy ahead of former Wolves sporting director Kevin Thelwell.
The Goodison Park club are in the midst of a review of their recruitment and executive operations following the departure of Brands in December.
Hitchen has held talks over replacing the Dutchman and is understood to have impressed Everton chiefs with his vision.
And the 45-year-old is now understood to have significant support from inside the Goodison boardroom as they close in on appointing a new technical figurehead.
Sportsmail understands Thelwell also has admirers at the Merseyside club and has emerged as a contender for the role.
After leaving Wolves, where he built a reputation as one of the best emerging football administrators in English football, in 2020 to become head of sport at New York Red Bulls, sources claim Thelwell has been considered for the vacancy at Everton. But Hitchen, who is available now, is said to be leading the way.
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright is understood to be taking a hands-on role with regards to the appointment of the club’s new director of football.
But significantly, owner Farhad Moshiri is believed to be be backing Hitchen’s appointment.