Manchester City department director leads Everton shortlist for senior Hill Dickinson Stadium role | OneFootball

Everton have identified a senior member of Manchester City’s footballing operation as a primary candidate to take on a lead position within their own structure.

It is the latest in a number of potential changes that could be approve at the Etihad Stadium this summer, both with the best interests of the club in mind as well as those concerning individuals and their career ambitions.

Aside from the well-publicised alterations ongoing within Pep Guardiola‘s playing squad, there have been a number of exits from the Catalan’s backroom staff with their respective replacements already mooted in various quarters.

A trio of exits concerning Juanma Lillo, Inigo Dominguez, and Carlos Vicens were confirmed by Manchester City at the end of the most-recent season, with the former duo’s contracts expiring and the latter opting for a move to SC Braga to take on the position of head coach.

Manchester City have moved swiftly to identify possible arrivals into the coaching structure, with an agreement having been reached with Jurgen Klopp’s former assistant manager at Liverpool, Pep Lijnders.

Kolo Toure could yet be promoted from Manchester City’s academy staff, while there is believed to be an interest in Melbourne City Youth coach Alessandro Diamanti, and ‘integral’ Liverpool analyst under both Klopp and Arne Slot, James French has agreed to a move.

Staying on Merseyside and the latest line of reporting points towards a changing of staff in a more senior area of Manchester City’s operation, with Everton keen on recruitment from the Etihad Stadium offices.

According to the information of The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland, City’s director of scouting and recruitment James Smith is now a leading contender for a similar role in CEO Angus Kinnear’s revamped setup at Everton, although a deal is yet to be concluded.

Manchester City themselves are bracing for recruitment changes too this summer, with Txiki Begiristain – the club’s director of football – set to leave his position after 13 years in charge at the Etihad Stadium.

Begiristain, alongside his senior colleagues at City, worked quickly to identify an able replacement for the 60-year-old, with Sporting’s Hugo Viana due to take over from the former Barcelona boss following the conclusion of the FIFA Club World Cup.