David Unsworth has resigned from his position as Academy Director and Under-23s manager of Everton, in order to pursue first-team management opportunities.
Having previously graduated through the club’s youth academy and enjoyed two separate stints in Everton’s first-team as a player, Unsworth became the Toffees’ Under-23s manager in 2013 after twice becoming caretaker manager at Preston during 2010-11 and 11-12 seasons.
Unsworth also spent eight months as Head of Academy Coaching at Sheffield United from December 2012 to August 2013 – having previously played for the Blades as a player during his playing career, before joining Everton a month later as their U23s manager.
During his time coaching at Goodison Park, Unsworth twice took caretaker charge of the first-team in two separate spells following the sackings of Roberto Martinez and Ronald Koeman in May 2016 and October 2017 respectively.
Unsworth also guided the U23s team to Premier League 2 (PL2) title in 2016-17 season before doing the PL2 league and cup double in 2018-19 season.
During this time, Unsworth has also served as the club’s Academy Director during which he has overseen the progression of several young players like Jonjoe Kenny, Anthony Gordon and Lewis Dobbins
The 48 year-old however has now decided that it is time to move on and explore first-team management opportunities elsewhere.
Speaking about his decision to leave Everton, Unsworth described his move as “one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in my career.”
Unsworth also spoke of the club’s importance to him and his career as he continued: “Everyone knows what Everton means to me, it has been my whole life and I have loved every minute of my time here.
“However, to give me the best chance of achieving my career aspirations – and becoming a permanent first team manager – I believe now is the right time for me to move on.”
Everton Chairman, Bill Kenwright meanwhile paid a nod to Unsworth involvement in the Toffees’ 1994-95 FA Cup title success as he hailed Unsworth as “a great coach… a great Evertonian… and a winner.”
Kenwright added that the club “completely understand and respect his decision” despite there being a feeling of sadness at his decision to leave amidst “his talent and love” for Everton.
Unsworth’s other previous clubs as a player include; West Ham, Portsmouth, Ipswich, Wigan, Burnley and Huddersfield, plus a month at Aston Villa where he failed to make a first-team debut due to personal reasons after he left West Ham.
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