Everton keen on highly rated scout responsible for Luka Modric and Luis Suarez signings

After a January that saw Everton sack a manager, appoint a manager and sign six new players, supporters will be hopeful that things begin to settle down at Goodison Park.

However, with the club's in-house strategic review ongoing, speculation about appointments further down the line is inevitable.

After all, this season Everton have parted ways with not only a manager in Rafael Benitez, but a director of football in Marcel Brands, as well as significant portions of the club's recruitment and medical teams.

It's the position left open by Brands' departure that represents the most intriguing prospect. Mainly as to whether Everton will have one on the other side of their review.

The ECHO understands that Everton are keeping the role vacant and will look to bring in someone to fill the director of football position in support of new manager Frank Lampard.

Steve Hitchen has emerged as a possible candidate for the club's next director, with the Daily Telegraph noting he has left his position at Tottenham Hotspur.

While Hitchen's official title at Spurs was director of technical performance, it's said in the piece that the 45-year-old has been acting as the club's de facto director of football.

Hitchen made his way into football recruitment after a nine-year playing career, initially with Spurs as a European scout.

It's suggested he was key in bringing Luka Modric to Tottenham, who went on to win the Champions League four times, as well as the Ballon d'Or in 2018.

Hitchen went on to work with Liverpool and helped Damien Comolli bring in Luis Suarez, who developed into one of the best forwards in Premier League history. The Uruguayan has since gone on to have great success in La Liga with Barcelona and Real Madrid.

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