Leeds United chief to join Premier League club at end of the season in blow to Championship promotion hopefuls

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’s 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 number one candidate by TFG, who enlisted the help of renowned recruiters Nolan Partners.

The 47-year-old has been identified as the number one candidate by The Friedkin Group

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 focussed 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.

He remained in post despite the takeover by 49ers Enterprises in 2023 and is respected by staff. Kinnear has worked on a wide range of areas, from player trading to the proposed expansion of Elland Road.