Everton staff profiles

Written by Simon Austin — April 3, 2018

Pen pics of Everton's coaching, science, medicine and analytics staff. To see staff profiles for other clubs, click here.

DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL

Kevin Thelwell

Nationality: English

Appointed in February 2022, replacing Marcel Brands, who had left the previous December. Had been Head of Sport at New York Red Bulls for two years and Sporting Director at Wolves between 2016 & 2020. Prior to that he was Head of Football Development & Recruitment for the Midlands club from 2013 to 2016.

COACHING STAFF

MANAGER

Sean Dyche

Nationality: English

Came through the youth ranks at Nottingham Forest as a player, although he never made a senior appearance for the side. The uncompromising centre-half went on to play more than 450 games, mainly for Chesterfield. Made his first foray into management at Watford but was sacked after a year when new ownership came in, despite having guided the side to 11th in the Championship, their best finish in four years. Really made his name at Burnley, where a pub is now named in his honour. The Clarets were 14th in the second tier when Dyche took over and he led them to seven seasons in the Premier League and qualification for Europe. Sacked in April 2022 after almost a decade at the helm. Guest on Episode #42 of the TGG Podcast.

ASSISTANT

Ian Woan

Nationality: English

Was a young player at Nottingham Forest alongside Dyche and then joined him as assistant at Watford in 2011. Followed the manager to Burnley, where they achieved legendary status. Had coaching experience in the Academies at Forest and Portsmouth before moving into first-team football.

FIRST-TEAM COACH

Steve Stone

Nationality: English

Another who knew Dyche from their time playing together at Forest, although Stone went on to enjoy a much more auspicious career than his manager, going on to represent England. Was U23s boss at Burnley before being promoted to first-team duties in July 2021. Was also sacked by the Clarets in April 2022.

GOALKEEPING COACH

Alan Kelly

Nationality: Irish

Played in goal for Preston, Sheffield United and Blackburn and won 34 caps for the Republic of Ireland. Joined Everton in October 2017 under caretaker manager David Unsworth. Stepped up from the Academy again to work with Duncan Ferguson in December 2019 and retained by Ancelotti, Benitez and Lampard.

PERFORMANCE

HEAD OF SPORT SCIENCE

Jack Nayler

Nationality: English

Joined in September 2022 from RB Leipzig, where he'd held same role for a year. Has worked for some of the biggest clubs in Europe - Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid and Celtic.

SPORT SCIENTIST

Mark Howard

Nationality: English

One of the most experienced performance practitioners in English football. Worked for Bolton and Blackburn before going Burnley in February 2013. Left in September 2022 after Dyche had been sacked.

SPORT SCIENTIST

Jason O'Keefe

Nationality: English

Started with club as an intern in 2014. Worked with the U23s for four-and-a-half years before being seconded to first team in January 2022. That move was made permanent at start of following season.

PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Jack Dowling

Nationality: English

Worked in Everton's Academy for almost eight years before leaving for a first-team job at Blackburn Rovers in early 2021. Returned to take his current role in February 2022.

PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Jack Phillips

Nationality: English

Was a pro footballer for Wigan and Accrington before joining Everton as a sport science intern in 2016. Moved into the first team as an S&C coach in 2019 before becoming physical performance coach three years later.

PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Sean Miller

Nationality: Scottish

Joined in December 2022 after seven years at Wolves, where he was first-team S&C coach.

NUTRITIONIST

Lloyd Parker

Nationality: English

Joined in October 2016, having previously been with the Salford City Reds rugby league team.

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

Jack Phillips

Nationality: English

Arrived at the club as an intern in July 2016. Has been first-team S&C coach since July 2019.

MEDICAL

HEAD OF MEDICAL SERVICES

Adam Newall

Nationality: English

Salford University graduate who joined the club in September 2013 from Burnley as first-team physio. Promoted to current role, often known as Head Physio, in December 2021.

DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL

John Hollingsworth

Nationality: English

Full-time job is as a consultant in Emergency Medicine at University Hospital Aintree. Promoted to current role, in place of Dr Aboul Shaheir, in June 2019.

PHYSIO

Adam Johnson

Nationality: English

Joined at start of 2022/23. Highly experienced, having previously worked in football for Stoke, Brighton, Millwall, Reading and Crewe.

INJURY PREVENTION PHYSIO

Carl Howarth

Nationality: English

Previously worked at Bolton, Birmingham and Wolves. Joined Everton in July 2015.

MASSEUR

Jimmy Comer

Nationality: English

An institution at Everton. Began his career at the club in the mid-1990s under Howard Kendall.

PODIATRIST

Richie Porter

Nationality: English

With Everton since 1999. Initially with the Academy, before being promoted in 2010. Treats feet, ankles and lower leg.

MASSEUR

Craig Yuill

Nationality: English

Recruited from Manchester City, where he had been for a decade, in the summer of 2016.

DATA SCIENCE

SENIOR LEAD, PERFORMANCE INSIGHTS

Charlie Reeves

Nationality: English

Arrived from Forest Green Rovers, where he had a unique role - analyst/ energy trader. Appointed by Everton ahead of the 2017/18 season. Was an analyst for four years before being promoted to current job in November 2022.

INSIGHTS ANALYST

Nicholas Coleman