Angus Kinnear has now left Leeds United for Everton after eight years as CEO at Elland Road, and has been speaking to Everton’s media after his first full week in charge.
Confirmation that Kinnear would leave Leeds for Everton came in April, but the senior figure wanted to stay at Elland Road until the end of the season to oversee the club’s promotion back to the top flight.
With the Championship campaign finished, Kinnear is now on Merseyside and already working ahead of what is an exciting time to be an Everton fan after The Friedkin Group completed a £400m takeover.
Everton have improved under the return of David Moyes as manager and Kinnear has backed the current Toffees gaffer in his first interview – while also explaining why he chose to end his eight-year Leeds spell.
Angus Kinnear’s three reasons why he has left Leeds for Everton
Speaking in his first interview as Everton’s chief executive this week, Kinnear outlined the three reasons why he has chosen to join Everton from Leeds and thus ended a spell at Leeds which began in 2017.
Kinnear outlined Everton as a club being a key reason in terms of fanbase and history, while also saying the takeover by The Friedkin Group and the move to the new stadium as reasons for his Leeds exit.
“There’s three reasons why there was such appeal. One is the club itself, such fantastic history, a rich heritage. A wonderful fanbase, a wonderful city and that makes it such a powerful proposition.”
“When you combine that with the new stadium, it’s a real catalyst for positive change at all levels including on the pitch. When you add in the new ownership, it’s really important,” Kinnear continued.
“When you deal with the owners they are custodians of the club and that they understand the principles of custodianship. That’s something I want to be part of,” the former Leeds supremo added, this week.
Could Kinnear be a link between any Everton and Leeds deals?
Kinnear made it clear that with the new backing of The Friedkin Group, this summer is a crucial one for his new side. Already, Kinnear has drafted in Nick Hammond from Leeds – where he was a transfer advisor.
Head scout Gary Penrice has also been linked with Everton and it remains unclear if Penrice will follow Hammond and Kinnear to Merseyside. In terms of players, Jack Harrison’s future is still unclear currently.
Leeds’ promotion means Harrison cannot use Victor Orta’s loan clause for a third season, so Everton will have to make a decision on the winger. Kinnear has not looked favourably on those that left on loan.
But now at a new club and with Moyes said to be a fan of Harrison, that may change. Leeds have been linked with a move for Everton’s first-choice striker Beto, and Kinnear’s position may help broker a deal.
