Kinnear ready to hire Leeds allies in ‘major move’ after Everton agreement
Everton are already making waves under their new regime and have as good as certified that they will be a Premier League club next season.
Now unbeaten in eight in the league under David Moyes, the Toffees under the helm of The Friedkin Group are moving on an upward trajectory with wholesale changes taking place across the hierarchy.
One of those is the recruitment of Angus Kinnear, who will join Everton from Leeds United from this summer as CEO at Bramley-Moore Dock.
Kinnear could anger Leeds with new Everton plans
Following the news that Kinnear will join Everton in the summer – bringing to an end his eight-year reign at Leeds – he could certainly rub his current side up the wrong way with a prospective latest move.
According to Alan Nixon (via Patreon, 9 March), the 47-year-old is planning to bring “two or three key allies” from Elland Road across the Pennines with him, essentially putting the executive team at Leeds into relative disarray.
In a “major move” by the Friedkins, Kinnear has been snatched from the champions-elect of the Championship, who are still working to ensure they achieve their Premier League return at the second time of asking.
Should the chief bring multiple members of staff alongside him, Leeds could have another huge task on their hands over pre-season to ensure an established business team are in place for their comeback to the top flight.
Leeds could be rivals for Toffees next season
As ambitious as the Friedkins clearly are, Everton are unlikely to become a major European threat overnight as they settle into their new waterfront home on the docks.
Rather, they could find themselves in a close battle with Leeds next season, with Friedkin now on the blue side having in that scenario secured a second promotion during his time at Elland Road.
Kinnear must be careful not to risk a conflict of interest by upsetting Leeds while he remains in post, but will equally want to be as prepared as possible to hit the ground running from a business perspective when he officially begins at Everton; Leeds’ owners, 49ers Enterprises, will also want a succession plan firmly in place.
| Angus Kinnear – career | Role(s) | |
| Arsenal | Marketing staff, Head of Marketing | 2005-2013 |
| West Ham United | Sporting Director | 2013-2017 |
| Leeds United | Chief Executive Officer | 2017-2025 |
| Everton | Chief Executive Officer | 2025-onwards |
Previous experience on Kinnear’s CV which has likely appealed to TFG is that he oversaw the transition to the London Stadium for West Ham United in 2016, a similar experience the Toffees are preparing to undergo.
And thanks to the form of Moyes and the team on the pitch, Premier League football long-term is certainly now to be expected by the Everton hierarchy.