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<\/p>\nEverton have appointed Dean Rastrick as their new academy director and brought back Neil Dewsnip to the club<\/p>\n
16:00, 02 Apr 2026Updated 16:06, 02 Apr 2026<\/p>\n
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Everton have confirmed two off-the-field appointments (Image: Jorge Horsted\/News Images\/NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Everton have appointed Dean Rastrick as the club’s new academy director.<\/p>\n
Rastrick will join the Blues on June 1 and oversee all aspects of the club’s academy, implementing a strategy across all age groups, focused on developing talent, building an elite environment and creating pathways into the first team.<\/p>\n
But he is not the only new appointment. Neil Dewsnip is returning to the club provide support across the men’s, women’s and academy departments on a consultancy basis<\/p>\n
A highly experienced academy leader with a proven track record in English football, Rastrick began his career in football as youth development ifficer at Luton Town aged 19, before moving to Derby County, where he was head of youth development.<\/p>\n
FOLLOW OUR EVERTON FC FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest EFC news and analysis from via the Liverpool Echo\u2019s dedicated FB page<\/a><\/p>\n 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\u2019s academy programme.<\/p>\n During his 13 years at Spurs, Rastrick oversaw significant academy success, including Under-17 U18 Premier League<\/a> Cup wins in his final season, with the club producing many talented young players who have subsequently enjoyed careers in the Premier League, European football and the wider professional game, including Troy Parrott, Noni Madueke, Harry Winks, Marcus Edwards, Nabil Bentaleb, Japhet Tanganga, Oliver Skipp and Kyle Walker-Peters.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n On his appointment, Rastrick said: \u201cI feel privileged to be joining this incredible club and academy at what is an extremely exciting period in its history.<\/p>\n \u201cEverton<\/a> is renowned for its track record of developing young talent and, with the help and support of everyone at Finch Farm, I\u2019m relishing the challenge of building on the strong foundations that are already in place.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Everton technical director Nick Cox, who led an extensive recruitment process, added: \u201cWe are excited to welcome Dean to Everton.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n \u201cDean 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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\u2019s leadership, experience and expertise will be central to delivering that vision.\u201d<\/p>\n Interim academy director Carl Darlington will continue to lead the academy until Rastrick starts his new role on June 1.<\/p>\n Cox added: \u201cI\u2019d 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.”<\/p>\n Dewsnip will also work closely with the academy in his capacity as an advisor to the Ccub\u2019s football leadership group.<\/p>\n With vast experience in youth development and senior football, Dewsnip previously spent 17 years in significant leadership roles in Everton\u2019s academy, coaching future England internationals Wayne Rooney, Ross Barkley, Leon Osman and Jack Rodwell.<\/p>\n He then joined the FA, working as the technical lead for England\u2019s development teams, before linking up with Plymouth Argyle, initially as an advisor before stepping up to become sporting director.<\/p>\n Cox said: \u201cI\u2019ve spent time with Neil over the years and have great respect for what he has achieved in the game.<\/p>\n \u201cHe understands Everton and will have a valuable role to play in ensuring we act in keeping with the club\u2019s heritage and values, as we look to implement new ideas and keep pace with the latest innovations.<\/p>\n \u201cHe 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve already started to benefit from Neil\u2019s input as he was part of the panel that led the academy director recruitment process, and he\u2019s providing mentoring support to Scott Phelan following his appointment as interim head coach of Everton Women.\u201d<\/p>\n Up to 70% off Everton kits and merch<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> Various Prices<\/p>\n Fanatics<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_Evertonjpeg.jpg\"\/)
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