Marcel Brands leaves Everton as director of football - his £250m transfer signing hits and misses

Everton’s transfer guru has left the club ahead of Monday night’s Premier League match with Arsenal.
Everton’s former director of football Marcel Brands. Picture: Nathan Stirk/Getty ImagesEverton’s former director of football Marcel Brands. Picture: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
Everton’s former director of football Marcel Brands. Picture: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

Marcel Brands has left his role as director of football at Everton following a board meeting, the club confirmed late on Sunday night.

The Dutchman had been at Goodison Park since the summer of 2018 and was involved in the Toffees spending close to £250 million during that period.

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However, the significant outlay has failed to translate into on-field success.

The recruitment expenditure and the resulting financial constraints saw new manager Rafael Benitez spend just £1.7 million on new players during the summer.

Everton have taken just two points from the last 24 available and an inquest was held by the board following Wednesday night’s humiliating 4-1 defeat to Liverpool at Goodison Park.

Brands said: “The board and I agreed that there is a clear difference in the vision and direction for this beautiful club and, with that in mind, the decision was taken.”

Everton fans’ anger at Brands and the board

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A section of supporters fired their frustrations at Everton board members in the aftermath of the Merseyside derby loss.

It wasn’t the first time this season Everton have been beaten in such lacklustre fashion. The 5-2 reverse at the hands of Watford and a meek 1-0 defeat at Brentford were almost as bad.

But this latest result tipped fans over the edge - and they couldn’t hide their ire at full-time.

Manager Rafael Benitez caught some flak amid the poor run of results but sections of Evertonians unleashed their rage at Brands and chairman Bill Kenwright as they made their way out of the directors’ box at Goodison Park.

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Video footage on Twitter shows a conversation one fan had with Brands, asking if he recruited the “sh*t” players on the pitch.

The Dutchman briefly engaged and retorted: “Is it only the players [that are the problem]?”

Given Sunday’s decision to relieve Brands of his duties, it would seem the Everton owner Farhad Moshiri thinks his recruitment is a big part of their current troubles.

Brands’ player recruitment at Everton

Brands has come under fire for some of the signings he’s made since his appointment in May 2018.

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Jean Philippe-Gbamin is said to have cost £23 million yet has made just six appearances in two-and-a-half seasons.

Raul Jimenez of Wolverhampton Wanderers is challenged by Jean-Philippe Gbamin of Everton during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton at Molineux on November 01, 2021 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Raul Jimenez of Wolverhampton Wanderers is challenged by Jean-Philippe Gbamin of Everton during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton at Molineux on November 01, 2021 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Raul Jimenez of Wolverhampton Wanderers is challenged by Jean-Philippe Gbamin of Everton during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton at Molineux on November 01, 2021 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Alex Iwobi’s fee could rise to a staggering £35 million. He’s a much-maligned figure and scored just six times in 78 appearances.

However, a number of other deals did work out. Richarlison, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Lucas Digne, Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina have all been regulars.

Below we list all of Everton’s signings under Brands and whether they have been a hit (✅), miss (❌) or undecided (➖).

Everton’s signings under Brands

(Player transfer fees as per transfrmarket)

✅ Richarlison - £35.28m

✅ Yerry Mina - £27.23m

❌ Alex Iwobi - £27.36m

❌ Moise Kean - £24.75m

✅ Ben Godfrey - £24.75m

✅ Allan - £22.5m

❌ Jean-Philippe Gbamin - £22.5m

❌ Andre Gomes - £22.5m

✅ Abdoulaye Doucoure - £20m

✅ Lucas Digne - £18.18m

➖ Fabian Delph - £8.5m

✅ Kurt Zuma - £7.11m (loan fee)

✅ Djibril Sidibe - £2.25m (loan fee)

✅ Demarai Grey - £1.8m

❌ Josh King - Nominal

❌ James Rodriguez -Free

✅ Andros Townsend - Free

➖ Salomon Rondon - Free

➖ Bernard - Free

➖ Asmir Begovic - Free

➖ Andy Lonergen - Free

Do you agree with the rankings? Or the decision to get rid of Brands?

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