Derby Confirm Evans Appointment

Rams confirm new appointment to strengthen the Football staff at Derby County.

Derby County have today appointed Chris Evans as their new Head of Football Operations.

Evans, who is 51, joins the club with immediate effect and was in attendance at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday to watch the Rams’ Sky Bet Championship victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

The key areas of the newly-created role will include a focus on recruitment, management of the scouting system and providing operational support to Head Coach Steve McClaren.

Following McClaren’s appointment on the final day of September, both he and President & Chief Executive Sam Rush have conducted an extensive interview process in order to recruit the most suitable candidate for the role.

McClaren said: “I would like to welcome Chris to Derby County and I’m pleased we have been able to welcome someone of his quality and calibre into our football operations.

“Chris has a vast amount of experience in a variety of roles during the last 34 years in the game and he will be instrumental in the way the football department operates on a day-to-day and week-to-week basis.

“The interview process threw up plenty of interesting and quality candidates but we were impressed with Chris from the word go and we’re pleased he’s decided to join us.

“Both myself and the rest of the staff are looking forward to working with him and developing a strong working relationship.”

He added: “Chris’ arrival is extremely important for the way we want to operate.

“It was imperative that we weren’t rushed into an appointment and we firmly believe we have the best man for the job.”

Rush said: “It has been a very instructive period working with Steve and identifying the suitable candidate and the appropriate skill set for this role.

“I am very much looking forward to working with Chris in this key position at Derby County Football Club.

“He brings a wealth of experience and contacts with him and we believe this appointment significantly strengthens our football operations group.”

Evans has served Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday during the past 24 years since hanging up his boots, in various roles, including Coaching, Head of Recruitment, Academy Manager, Performance Director, Assistant Manager and Caretaker Manager.

After enjoying a professional career, as a defender, at Arsenal, Stoke City, York City and Darlington, Evans became a Senior Football Development Officer in Wales from 1988 until 1991.

He then moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers and between 1991 and 2007 he served the club as Youth/Reserve Team Coach, Youth Development Officer, Chief Scout, Director of Youth and Academy Director during his lengthy stint in the West Midlands.

During his time at Molineux he was able to identify and recruit top talent such as Robbie Keane, Joleon Lescott and Elliott Bennett, helping them to become Premier League and international footballers.

In 2007 he moved to Bolton Wanderers to work alongside Gary Megson as Assistant Manager and Performance Director, during which time he set up and was responsible for a UK & European Scouting/Player Recruitment department, amongst other areas.

He also had a spell as Caretaker Manager before leaving the Reebok Stadium in 2010.

Evans moved to Sheffield Wednesday in 2011, as Assistant Manager, and during that time he also carried the additional responsibility of being Head of Recruitment at Hillsborough, helping put together the promotion-winning squad in the 2011/12 season.