Everton Appoints New Academy Director

Everton has appointed Dean Rastrick as the Club’s new Academy Director. Rastrick will join the Club on 1 June and oversee all aspects of Everton’s world-renowned Academy, implementing a strategy across all age groups, focused on developing talent, building an elite environment and creating pathways into the Blues’ Men’s team. The appointment of Rastrick is part of the Club’s evolution of its football leadership structure, which has been further bolstered by the return of Neil Dewsnip, who will provide support across the Men’s, Women’s and Academy football departments on a consultancy basis. A highly-experienced academy leader with a proven track record in English football, Rastrick began his career in football as Youth Development Officer at Luton Town, aged 19, before moving to Derby County, where he was Head of Youth Development. He then spent four years at Norwich City, in the role of Assistant Academy Manager. In 2010, he joined Tottenham Hotspur, working his way up from Academy Performance Manager to Academy Manager, ultimately assuming overall responsibility for the club’s Academy programme. During his 13 years at Spurs, Rastrick oversaw significant Academy success, including Under-17 and Under-18 Premier League Cup wins in his final season. Throughout his tenure, Spurs’ academy produced many talented young players who have subsequently enjoyed careers in the Premier League, European football and the wider professional game. The list includes Troy Parrott, Noni Madueke, Harry Winks, Marcus Edwards, Nabil Bentaleb, Japhet Tanganga, Oliver Skipp and Kyle Walker-Peters. In 2023, Rastrick joined the Professional Game Academy Audit Company (PGAAC) as Leadership and Management Auditor, before returning to Norwich for a second spell as Head of Football Development. On his appointment, Rastrick said: “I feel privileged to be joining this incredible club and Academy at what is an extremely exciting period in its history. “Everton is renowned for its track record of developing young talent and, with the help and support of everyone at Finch Farm, I’m relishing the challenge of building on the strong foundations that are already in place. “I know there are some really talented and committed people at Everton. Part of my role will be to create an environment within the Academy that supports and allows the players and staff to grow and evolve and, ultimately, operate at the highest level possible.” Everton Technical Director Nick Cox, who led an extensive recruitment process, said: “We are excited to welcome Dean to Everton. “The Academy Director role is vitally important within our football structure, so it was essential we conducted a thorough recruitment process to identify the person with the right qualities to take our Academy forwards. “Dean is an expert in his field who has spent his entire career in youth development, working across English football, with Luton Town, Derby County and Norwich. “However, I think the best reference point is the work he did over 13 years at Spurs, where he not only worked with some exceptional players during that period, but also built a reputation for developing staff, too. “We are building an outstanding learning environment that is challenging, supportive but at the same time, creates some memorable experiences for the young people within our care. Dean’s leadership, experience and expertise will be central to delivering that vision.” I feel privileged to be joining this incredible club and Academy at what is an extremely exciting period in its history. - Dean Rastrick Interim Academy Director Carl Darlington will continue to lead the Academy until Rastrick starts his new role on 1 June. Cox added: “I’d like to thank Carl for doing an incredible job of leading the Academy on an interim basis. His knowledge, expertise and levels of professionalism have been invaluable during this period.” Dewsnip will also work closely with the Academy in his capacity as an advisor to the Club’s football leadership group. With vast experience in youth development and senior football, Dewsnip previously spent 17 years in significant leadership roles in Everton’s Academy, coaching future England internationals Wayne Rooney, Ross Barkley, Leon Osman and Jack Rodwell. He then joined the Football Association, working as the technical lead for England’s development teams, before linking up with Plymouth Argyle, initially as an advisor but stepped up to become Sporting Director. Cox said: “I’ve spent time with Neil over the years and have great respect for what he has achieved in the game. “He understands Everton and will have a valuable role to play in ensuring we act in keeping with the Club’s heritage and values, as we look to implement new ideas and keep pace with the latest innovations. “He will share his technical expertise on coaching, player development and programme delivery, as well as being a mentor for staff and providing session and game observations. “We’ve already started to benefit from Neil’s input as he was part of the panel that led the Academy Director recruitment process, and he’s providing mentoring support to Scott Phelan following his appointment as Interim Head Coach of Everton Women.”