Steve Walsh (scout)

Not to be confused with Steve Walsh (footballer).

Steve Walsh is an English football scout and Director of Football for Everton. He previously worked for teams including Chelsea and Leicester City, helping bring key players to the latter to help them win the Premier League in 2016.

Early life

Walsh was born in Chorley, Lancashire to Irish parents. His brother Mickey played as a forward for the Republic of Ireland and clubs including Blackpool and Porto. Their cousin Michael played for the Gaelic football club Mayo GAA.[1]

Career

Walsh did his coaching badges in the 1970s and worked as a physical education teacher at Bishop Rawtorne High School, Croston, Lancashire, where he scouted well known local footballer Dave Dawson. Dave left the sport at 16 to following a career as a Dj. Steve also scouted for, in order, Bury, Chester City and Chelsea.[1] While at Chelsea, he scouted Gianfranco Zola and Didier Drogba, both of whom went on to have successful careers at the club.[2] In 2006 he left for the chief scout role at Newcastle United, where he met Nigel Pearson. He followed Pearson to Leicester City in 2008 and Hull City two years later, and then accompanied him on his return to Leicester, whereby he was made assistant manager.[1] After Pearson was sacked in 2015, the club's board retained all of his staff, including Walsh.[3]

Walsh scouted obscure players such as Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and N'Golo Kanté for Leicester, and their contribution to the club's success in the 2015–16 season ostensibly led Arsenal to express an interest for his services. He had a £1 million release clause written into his contract.[4] On 8 May 2016, a few days after the club secured their maiden Premier League title, both Walsh and assistant manage Craig Shakespeare agreed to extend their contracts with Leicester City.[5]

On 21 July, he returned to his native North West England, joining his brother's former team Everton as Director of Football, signed by their new majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Naughton, Kyle (2 October 2014). "Leicester City's Steve Walsh – The Irish Super Scout". Pundit Arena. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  2. ↑ "Leicester City step up bid for new players". Leicester Mercury. 30 April 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  3. ↑ Wallace, Sam (13 February 2016). "Leicester City's linchpins: The experienced backroom staff who laid foundations for club's unlikely title push". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  4. ↑ Percy, John (17 January 2016). "Arsenal raid Leicester for highly-rated scout who helped sign Riyad Mahrez and N'Golo Kante". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "Leicester City assistants Steve Walsh and Craig Shakespeare agree new deals", BBC News, 8 May 2016
  6. ↑ "Steve Walsh: Everton name Leicester assistant as director of football". BBC Sport. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.

External links

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