Everton coach who brought through Anthony Gordon and Ross Barkley drops five divisions to return

Former Everton Under-21s head coach Paul Tait has dropped five divisions to take over as youth team manager at National League North side Chester FC. Tait spent 18 years working within Everton's academy, where he played a pivotal role in developing standout talents such as Anthony Gordon and Ross Barkley before leaving the Merseyside club earlier this summer.

Tait departed Everton in July after technical director Nick Cox conducted a six-month strategic academy review that eliminated the Under-21s head coach role. Dave Hughes subsequently absorbed coaching responsibilities for the Under-21 side as Everton's new head of academy player development, clearing the way for Tait to return to Chester, where he previously played in 2006.