Journalist can 'totally understand' Everton's interest in Steve Hitchen

Journalist Dean Jones can ‘totally understand’ why Everton may decide to appoint former Tottenham Hotspur chief Steve Hitchen as their new director of football.

The 45-year-old has been heavily linked with filling the vacancy in the Goodison Park hierarchy following his decision to leave his position as Spurs’ technical director at the start of February.

Hitchen resigned from his scouting and recruitment post at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after his responsibilities became marginalised due to the arrival of Fabio Paratici in the summer.

Everton, who are involved in a relegation battle following a torrid run of form, are currently in the process of re-building their backroom staff after several departures.

The Merseyside outfit have been operating without a director of football, head of recruitment and manager of scouting after the departures of Marcel Brands, Grétar Steinsson and Dan Purdy were announced late last year.

Former manager Rafael Benitez was granted more control over operations by owner Farhad Moshiri but couldn’t produce the results on the pitch and was dismissed in January as a result.

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Frank Lampard has since arrived as Benitez’s successor and claimed his first Premier League victory over Leeds United last time out, and his attention will now turn to addressing the off-field issues at the club.

Prior to his resignation, Hitchen spent five years at Tottenham and Jones can comprehend why Everton are considering appointing the experienced figure as Brands’ heir.

He told GiveMeSport: “I can see why they’re thinking of going for a personality like that, somebody that knows the Premier League inside out like he does.

“But Everton have