Everton director of football Marcel Brands steps down from role with Rafael Benitez set to be handed control over recruitment at Goodison Park following slump in form

Marcel Brands has left his role as Everton's director of football.

The Toffees have sacked the Dutchman, meaning Rafael Benitez will now have more control over recruitment at Goodison Park.

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A club statement read: ";Everton Football Club can confirm that Marcel Brands has left his post as Director of Football.

";Brands joined Everton from PSV Eindhoven in June 2018 and was appointed to the Club’s Board in 2019.

"The Owner and Directors would like to thank Marcel for the service he has given to the Club over the past three and a half years and wish him well for his future.

"A strategic review of the football structure will now take place which will inform the best model for the Club to proceed with in the long-term.

"In the meantime, the Owner and Board of Directors will continue to provide our manager, Rafa Benitez, with their full support."

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A statement from Brands then read: "On Friday, following a personal conversation with the Chairman and my fellow Board members, we agreed that I would step down from my post as Director of Football and as a member of the Everton Football Club Board.

"This decision has taken some time and some consideration and was one of the most difficult I have faced in my career.

"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.

"I want to thank everyone in the Club who I have worked closely with over the last three and a half years. There are a lot of talented people at Everton with huge passion and commitment to move the Club forward, both on and off the pitch.

"I want to wish all of the squad every success, and I am convinced that there is enough quality to improve the current situation quickly.

"It has been an honour for me to work at this fantastic club and I wish everyone associated with Everton the very best for the future."

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Over £300million has been spent on transfers since he joined the club three years ago.

Ben Godfrey, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Richarlison and Lucas Digne have proved successful, but other high-profile signings like James Rodriguez, Moise Kean, Bernard, Nikola Vlasic and Cenk Tosun have underwhelmed.

Brands' departure will pave the way for Benitez to be handed control over transfers and the Spaniard will reportedly be backed in the January transfer market as the Merseyside club look to get out of their current slump in form.

No win in eight Premier League matches has ramped up the pressure on the former Liverpool boss with supporters turning their anger on the board after the midweek Merseyside derby defeat at home.

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Heading into a month which includes fixtures against Arsenal, on Monday, Chelsea and Leicester plus a trip to Burnley - and with main striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin unlikely to return from a thigh injury for at least another fortnight - things could get worse before they get better.

However, Benitez is trusting in his vast experience to arrest his side's worrying slide.

I have experience in situations like these, to fight for titles and to try to avoid relegation and my experience is telling me to stay calm, to keep working hard, to try to correct the mistakes, then keep going," said Benitez.

"What we want is to stick together because that is crucial. It is a frustrating time for us, but we have to keep going and work really hard.

"When you are in a bad run, every game feels 'must win'.

"I am positive and still have the belief we will do well because we did it at the beginning of the season.

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"I said a lot of times that we will do well in the second part.

"Now is a time for us to stick together and try to go to January in the best possible position."

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