Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed news of senior staff having to re-interview for their jobs will be a “big blow to morale”.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted he was “very surprised” to hear of the plans from club sources and claimed he is “not sure about the timing” of the decision.
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The Sun reported on 16 November that Everton’s incoming US owners will “shock several backroom staff by making them re-apply for their jobs”.
It is claimed sporting director Kevin Thelwell and senior Goodison scouts are set to go through the process.
Football Insider has already revealed (18 November) that Everton boss Sean Dyche will face intense sack scrutiny over the Christmas period with a daunting run of fixtures lined up.
The Toffees face Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City in the run-up to Boxing Day with the club currently just three points above the relegation zone.
Everton morale could be hit by ‘big blow’ after bombshell, says Wyness
Wyness suggested other clubs have embarked on a similar process with their staff in the past.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I don’t think this is solely related to the takeover.
“I did hear about this from some of my sources in the club last week, and I’ve got to say I was very surprised.
“I would have thought that this would affect morale.
“Given what the staff have been through with the threat of relegation and the uncertainty, I was surprised because the news will have been a big blow to morale.”
“It’s a process that some clubs have gone through before, but I’m not sure about the timing.”
