Baines: It's A Privilege & Honour To Be Part Of Everton
New Everton Giant Leighton Baines has revealed his ‘privilege and honour’ to give his best years on the pitch to the Blues – before getting to work with the Club’s current players as a coach in David Moyes’ backroom team.
The modern-day Toffees icon was rewarded for approaching two decades of top service to the Club by joining a list of 37 legendary former players as a Giant – Everton’s official Hall of Fame – last month.
As a marauding left-back, Baines made 420 appearances across 13 seasons of top-class service for the Toffees. Having been signed by Moyes from Wigan Athletic in 2007, the England international scored an impressive 39 goals, aided by becoming one of the best free-kick takers of his generation.
The Scouser, who initially came through Everton’s youth system before joining Wigan, spoke of his pride to receive such a prestigious title as the Giant honour, and to continue to play a role for the Club he cares for so deeply.
“[The award] is quite surreal, to be honest with you,” Baines told evertontv. “When you’re hearing some of the names who have won the award in the past, it’s very humbling to be put in that company.
“I think it’s important to take stock and appreciate what you’ve had. I’ve been incredibly lucky to find my way back to this football club as a player. I’m incredibly lucky and really happy that I was able to give my best playing years to this football club.
“And again, the privilege now is mine that people looked after me and kept me in the building when I finished playing. And I take that responsibility seriously and I've applied myself the best I can.
“Learning the craft of coaching and supporting what was young players at the time, and now the group of players who I'm lucky enough to work with now.”
After hanging up his playing boots at the end of the 2019/20 season, Baines was soon appointed Professional Development Coach within Everton’s Academy, before becoming the Blues’ Under-18s head coach in October 2021.
After Sean Dyche left his role as Men’s team manager in January 2025, Baines and fellow fans’ favourite Seamus Coleman were named interim bosses for the FA Cup victory over Peterborough United at Goodison Park.
And when Moyes returned to take the Everton reins later that month, Baines was appointed to the Scot’s coaching team alongside Alan Irvine, Billy McKinlay and Dave Lucas.
“It’s been a great 18 months for me,” Baines reflected on his current role. “I wasn't trying to be in a first-team environment in any way. My focus was just completely on becoming a better coach every single day. And then things changed here.
“The manager came in, asked me to come up with him, which as obviously a fantastic opportunity. And I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.
“There’s so much experience in our coaching room and also in the dressing room. Being able to work with the players at this level, you can’t lose sight of how much of a real honour that is.”
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