Kevin Thelwell is eager to sign a former Everton ace just days after becoming director of football at Rangers.
After three years on Merseyside, the sporting director opted for new avenues and made the move to Scottish Premiership side Rangers at the beginning of June.
Kevin Thelwell’s move to Rangers looked imminent for months before it was officially confirmed by the club a few days ago. Thelwell left Everton with an extensive knowledge of players which he now takes to Scotland with him.
It was announced in March that Thelwell would be leaving Everton, with a mutual agreement between him and The Friedkin Group abruptly ending his three-year spell at the club. During his time at Everton, Thelwell still brought several good players to the club, including Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye.
Now, the 51-year-old is going to reopen the phonebook in an attempt to sign a former Everton player who spent a season on loan at Goodison Park in the 2022/23 season.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Kevin Thelwell eyeing move for former Everton ace Conor Coady
He only spent a season with the Toffees, but Conor Coady left his mark at Everton by helping them stay in the Premier League under Frank Lampard.
The 32-year-old had the chance to complete a permanent move to Everton after his loan spell, but the club opted not to do so. Despite that, Coady still has fond memories at Goodison Park, and even switched his allegiance from red to blue.
Coady never thought he would sign for Everton, but Thelwell brought him to the club to help realise his dreams. Now, Thelwell is set to take Coady to Scotland, as the Daily Record have reported that Rangers are looking to bring the England international to Ibrox this summer.
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The report states that new Rangers manager Russell Martin wants to sign the former Wolves defender as one of his first signings since taking the job.
Coady, who has a year left on his contract at Leicester City, will likely be eager to play in a top flight next season having just suffered relegation to the Championship with the Foxes.
Why Kevin Thelwell opted not to sign Conor Coady at Everton permanently
Even though he spent one season with Everton, fans still look back at his time at the club with good spirits. Coady trained Harrison Armstrong while he was at Everton, the youngster has now broken into the first team, so his influence is still felt at the club to this day.
There is no doubt that Coady appreciates his time at Everton but it could have been much more had it not been for Thelwell’s decision.
Speaking on why he did not sign Coady permanently, Thelwell said: “If we go back in time, Yerry Mina hadn’t played a lot, but he finished the season strongly and played a big part in helping us stay up. We could have easily added another year on his contract.
“Coady came in the building and was a fantastic professional. It would have been very easy for us to sign Conor permanently for a low price, but we decided against that on the back of holding the door open for Jarrad (Branthwaite).”