High praise for Everton target

It’s starting to look almost inevitable that PSV Eindhoven Sporting Director Marcel Brands will be joining Everton in the next few weeks. The Toffees’ interest in the Dutchman to become the Blues’ Director of Football has been no secret in recent months, and even though Brands seemed to indicate it was not a done deal that he would be leaving the Netherlands, it appears the move is on.

Speaking in today’s edition of Voetbal International, PSV’s Managing Director Toon Gerbrands was very complimentary of Brands -

“If Marcel decides to leave, that is firstly a big loss for PSV. But also for me personally, because I worked very well with him for nine years.

“On the other hand, it is also a very big compliment for Marcel and PSV. He has a very good name abroad and he is without doubt the architect of the technical organization, the scouting and the training of PSV.”

Brands, who has previously been linked with Chelsea, has earned an impressive reputation for finding and recruiting young talent. In his five years at PSV, Brands has made the club more than £200m by recruiting and later selling the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum, Memphis Depay and Kevin Strootman.

Prior to that Brands spent five years at AZ Alkmaar where he recruited Louis van Gaal as manager, who led the side to the Eredivisie title in 2009. His current contract at PSV runs until 2020, but Everton will be paying the club a buyout.

Gerbrands further added that Brands deserved his opportunity abroad.

“There is a very good foundation here, at AZ Alkmaar Marcel did the same. The structure he has made is worth gold, he leaves it behind. The house is standing, there will only be another resident when Marcel leaves.

“He does not have to worry that it feels like he is abandoning the club and the people. That is not the case, everyone likes it best.”

It’s looking like Brands’ appointment to the position could happen as soon as the season ends, but what remains unclear is where that leaves the incumbent Steve Walsh.