Everton academy director David Unsworth is to leave the club to 'pursue his managerial ambitions', Sky Sports News report

The lowdown

In addition to overseeing the academy, Unsworth was also the Under-23 boss at Goodison Park.

He's had two spells at the caretaker manager during his time at the club, first at the end of the 2015/16 season when Roberto Martinez left the club, and more recently in the autumn of 2017 following the departure of Ronald Koeman.

Unsworth, a left-back, spent 11 years of his playing career with The Toffees across two stints (1992-1997 and 1998-2004). Overall, he made 329 appearances and scored 40 goals.

The latest

Sky Sports journalist Tom White broke the news live on air on Tuesday morning.

Unsworth wants to step up from coaching youth football and occupy the hot seat at the senior level.

"Significant news coming out of Everton," White said. "David Unsworth is going to leave his position at the club.

He added: "He's leaving because he wants to become a first-team manager, so that will be elsewhere."

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The verdict

Chairman Bill Kenwright says the club are 'sad' to see Unsworth after a lengthy period of 'great' service. He also hailed the 48-year-old as a 'winner'.

Theoretically, Paul Tait, the current Under-18 coach, may now be promoted to the U23 role. He's steered Everton's teenagers to fifth place in the current U18 Premier League standings.

But could another coach follow Unsworth out the door in the coming years?

Ashley Cole, who joined Frank Lampard's staff in February, has said he 'definitely' wants to take on a managerial position. If an opportunity to be the main man presents itself in the future, he may also be tempted, leaving Lampard with plenty of moving pieces in the summer.

In other news, journalist Paul Brown has dropped this Frank Lampard claim.