Brands: Club’s new model to retain its “Evertonian heart”

Everton’s new Director of Football is determined to make sure his time at the Toffees is not just a flash in the pan. Marcel Brands, since his appointment a couple of weeks ago, has greatly emphasized that his plan at the Blues is to develop a sustainable structure for continued success, which will come as music to the ears of the fanbase, especially those who lived through the glory years of the early 80’s.

“I have worked with three clubs over nearly 21 years, eight years at Waalwijk, five at AZ and another eight at PSV.

“So I am a guy that is not a ‘club-hopper’. I want to work here for a long time and build a structure that Everton can work with for a long time, and which fans can be proud of.”

During his tenure at PSV, Brands also developed Phillip Cocu into a top-notch manager, and the Blues will look to him to mentor Marco Silva similarly.

“Phillip Cocu was a great player, one of the best in Holland, and after his career he started thinking about coaching.

“I helped in that and had the confidence in him to be the PSV coach. For me, Marco is a little bit different [from Cocu] because it was important for me to find a coach that wanted to work within the structure we want to build here.

”We also wanted a coach with some Premier League experience, because the Premier League is something special. Marco has that and, for me, it makes him a good coach to work with.

“I had a good feeling about Marco from our first meeting. I did some homework and spoke with some players who had worked with him.

“They gave a good input and were very positive about him. I think he will be successful with Everton.”

Another attractive feature about Brands that will certainly resonate with Everton fans is his idea to intentionally bring in people familiar with the PSV culture and tradition, which probably explains why Duncan Ferguson retains a role with the Blues. Brands had brought on former PSV players Ruud van Nistelrooy and Mark van Bommel as youth-team coaches.

“David Unsworth told me a lot about that [the number of former players working for the Club]. I think that is very good. I like it because the former player knows the culture of the Club and understands what the fans want.

“I think it is great to have former players in the Club. Of course, you have to bring in quality as well, but they have a real Evertonian heart and that is important.”

Marcel Brands continues to say the right things and show that he certainly has the pedigree for the job, but it’s the transfer moves he makes this summer that will translate into immediate success on the pitch next season.