Marcel Brands breaks silence as former Everton director of football returns to PSV Eindhoven

Marcel Brands has admitted that he had been 'reflecting a lot' about his future in football following his Everton exit after his return to PSV Eindhoven was announced.

Brands’ three-and-a-half year tenure as director of football at Everton came to an abrupt halt in December just over seven months after he’d penned a new deal at the club committing himself to 2024.

His last public act at the club was to become embroiled in a verbal exchange with an angry fan after the 4-1 defeat to Liverpool at Goodison Park. When he was asked if he’d brought in those on the pitch, he issued the cryptic response: “Is it only the players?”

However, after the ECHO revealed he was returning to PSV to replace Toon Gerbrands as their CEO/general manager this summer, Brands said: “I’ve obviously been reflecting a lot on my future in the world of football.

“There is only one club in the Netherlands where I would like to work and that club is PSV.

“A strong foundation has been laid here and the club boasts a well-balanced team of directors.

“I liked the successful collaboration I had with John de Jong, the current director of football.

“I’ve been having some conversations with him about the way we will cooperate.

“I am looking forward to leading PSV to new successes, with him and the other members of the board.”

While a strategic football review at Everton remains ongoing, the ECHO understands the club are seeking a new director of football so the position will be retained.