David Moyes praised outgoing director of football Kevin Thelwell as he opened up on his departure for the first time.
Thelwell’s summer exit was officially confirmed last week, with new Everton owners The Friedkin Group set to move to a different structure for the football operation at the club.
It will bring to an end a three year reign in which he had to steer the club through financial problems, regulatory hearings and relegation battles.
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That the Blues will almost certainly emerge from a period of crisis as a Premier League club is a testament to the work of Thelwell, and former manager Sean Dyche, Moyes said.
Speaking ahead of the visit of West Ham United, his most recent former club, he added: “I don’t know all of the challenges, how they all came around or why. I do know that for the last few years, trying to stay competitive in the Premier League, trying to keep Everton Football Club's image, what it stands for, it's got a huge fan base, trying to keep all those things happy when you've got restrictions is really difficult.
"Probably even for the people who have to talk about the club - it's very difficult when what's been going on behind the scenes.
“So I think Kevin's done a really good job. As I have said, I think Dychey over the last couple of years has done a brilliant job in managing the situation.
"I think Kevin deserves a lot of praise. Like everything in football, things change, new people come in and they want to try something different.”
