Manchester United to lose 'key leader' of backroom staff to Everton
Manchester United are set to lose director of academy Nick Cox to Everton as talks reach an advanced stage.
The 47-year-old is being lined up for the role of technical director with the Toffees and his departure from Old Trafford is expected to be confirmed soon, reports the i paper.
Cox has been at Manchester United since 2016 and has been head of the academy since 2019.
The significant role saw him leading the development of players from Under-9s all the way up to Under 21s.
Manchester United has always boasted an impressive pathway to the first team for their youth players and that continued under Cox.
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The likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have graduated to first team regulars in recent years, while Toby Collyer and Harry Amass are pushing to do the same.
However, Cox is now set to leave the academy behind and take the step up to a senior leadership role with the Everton first team.
The Athletic report that Cox was 'recently named on an all-staff email at United as a key leader on the football side,' so his departure will come as a blow to the Red Devils.
He will be expected to stay with Manchester United until a replacement is found, though, so his exit may not be imminent just yet.
The Friedkin Group completed their takeover of Everton in December and the recruitment of Cox will continue the overhaul made by the new owners.
David Moyes returned to the club as manager in January, replacing Sean Dyche, and comfortably kept the Toffees in the Premier League after a sticky start to the campaign.
Everton will start the 2025-26 season in their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind at the end of the last campaign.
There will also be a new arrival at Everton in the recruitment department as they are bringing in Manchester City's director of recruiting and scouting, James Smith.
Another significant coup for the Toffees will see Smith link up with Moyes again having been with the Scot in his first spell at Everton and at Manchester United.
Recruitment will be key for Everton this summer as they look to move away from a relegation scrap and push up the table under Moyes. More Trending
Kyle Walker has reportedly agreed a one-year deal to move to the club, having been deemed surplus to requirements at Manchester City and at AC Milan, where he spent the second half of last season on loan.
Also being linked with swapping the Etihad for Everton is Jack Grealish, who is expected to leave Manchester City this summer after falling out of favour under Pep Guardiola.
City are reportedly open to offers of around £40m for the player they spent £100m on, with Everton not the only interested party.
His mammoth wages could be a problem but a loan deal could be struck for the England winger.
MORE: Premier League club favourites to sign Jack Grealish as Manchester City set asking price
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