Everton's academy director Gareth Prosser has described in detail the aims of his new role in the club, and how important a strong relationship with Kevin Thelwell will be.
The former Wolves man's appointment was confirmed in the summer having worked closely with the Blues director of football at the midlands club. And, in a long interview with the club, he has revealed that deciding to come to Finch Farm was an easy decision for him.
The general overview of his role is to oversee the club's academy, implement a sustained strategy across all age groups and create a clear pathway into the first team. And, Prosser explained what his initial aims are now that he has taken over the position.
READ MORE: Everton's new plan emerges as £97m figure shows five-year problem
READ MORE: Everton unsung hero proved Roberto Martinez wrong to perfectly silence champions
He told evertonfc.com : "First and foremost it's a terrific club with a great history, and hopefully a bright future ahead. Over the years I've been coming to Finch Farm and playing against various Everton teams, I've got to know some of the staff.
"So when the opportunity came up to lead and take charge of the academy, to be honest it was too good an opportunity to turn down. In all the conversations I've had with Denise and Kevin in the interview process, it was about where they are now and where they would like to be - both in terms of first team, challenging for Europe, the new stadium on the horizon and obvious their intent for the academy to play a part in that bright future.
"The aim is for us to create better people, more players for the first team. This club has a great history of creating players.
"To have that alignment from top to bottom in the club - and not just from the first team, to the academy and then across each department - will be really important. Making sure people are on the same page and the messages from the staff to the players is consistent and hopefully makes them feel more settled and give their best in training."
Thelwell was the sporting director at Wolves when Prosser was at the club, while the latter has also enjoyed spells with Derby County and the Football Association of Wales. He admitted that a previous working relationship with the Everton director of football was a key factor in his decision to come to Merseyside, but maintained that he needs to have important partnerships with all of the staff at the club too.
"He's [Thelwell] a really good person who manages people well, provides you with the opportunity to contribute and give an opinion," he added. "He'll support you when needed, and he'll challenge you when needed.
"Ultimately he just wants the very best for the club he works at. We've worked well together and I'm looking forward to rebuilding that partnership, not just with Kevin but with the rest of the staff.
"He was influential, that past history helps. I know how he works and he knows how I work and there's been success there.
"But it's not just Kevin. Through the interview process with Denise, with Frank's background and the chances he provides to young players, the staff here, the infrastructure. There were lots of reason why I'm really proud to be the academy director here.
"It's about an understanding about the role of Kevin, overlooking the first team departments, and my role overlooking the academy departments - and ensuring there's that thread through. To ensure the pathway for players, and staff, is clear.
"That daily, regular communication will be important. In the short term I'll be getting to know the staff, the players and understanding what's going on here at the moment.
"Then it's to work with the staff to see where we need to improve and where we can maintain. Long term it's to obviously create that alignment throughout the club and make sure that continuity of message is there.
"We've got a huge responsibility to develop these people and players as well."
READ NEXT:
-
Everton ‘set their sights’ on international winger with 12 goals in 12 games this season
- What we have learned from Everton's first six games as two players see value soar
-
Everton fans deliver strong message over big Frank Lampard decision
-
Everton postponement gives Frank Lampard chance to hone tactic that surprised Liverpool
-
Everton 'eyeing January bid' for winger who has already made Arsenal transfer statement
