Leeds United chief to join Premier League club at end of the season in blow to Championship promotion hopefuls — Mail 26/2/25
Angus Kinnear is closing in on a switch from Leeds to Everton this summer
By MIKE KEEGAN
Angus Kinnear, the Leeds United chief executive, is set to
join Everton - but not until the end of the season.
Mail Sport understands that Kinnear is closing in on a
switch across the Pennines as new owners The Friedkin Group (TFG) seek to
rebuild as the club moves to its new stadium this summer.
They are keen to hire a CEO to oversee a new era for the
Toffees as soon as possible, ahead of what is expected to be a busy transfer
window.
However, the former West Ham and Arsenal executive is
thought to be keen to stay at Elland Road and oversee Leeds’ promotion to the
Premier League before he departs. Leeds are currently top of the Championship
and seven points clear of third place with 12 matches to play.
Kinnear has an open-ended contract in Yorkshire. Talks would
need to take place between the two clubs over his exit.
However, the 47-year-old has been identified as the No 1
candidate by TFG, who enlisted the help of renowned recruiters Nolan Partners.
Everton have been effectively operating without a permanent
CEO following the resignation of Denise Barrett-Baxendale in the summer of
2023. Colin Chong has been fulfilling the role in an interim capacity and has
focused mainly on completing the 55,000-capacity stadium on the banks of the
River Mersey at Bramley-Moore Dock.
However, the new US owners, who took over in December, are
seeking an expert in football matters as they seek an overhaul. Fulham’s
highly-regarded Alistair Mackintosh and ex-Arsenal exec Vinai Venkatesham have
also been among those looked at.
Kinnear has been at Leeds since 2017 following four years at
West Ham and a decade at the Gunners.