Manchester United youth training director Cox will serve as Everton s technical director, and has discovered Garnacho Menu

According to Manchester Evening News on June 18, Knick Cox will step down as Manchester United's youth training director and become Everton's technical director.

After serving as Manchester United's youth training director for six years, Nick Cox is about to leave office and will serve as Everton's technical director. Cox joined Manchester United in 2016 and was promoted to youth training director in 2019. Under his leadership, Manchester United won the Youth FA Cup in 2022, brought Alejandro Garnacho from Atletico Madrid and trained Kobe Maynu to the first team. In April this year, Ethan Whitley came on as the substitute against Sheffield United and became Manchester United's 250th youth training graduate.

Everton poached Cox in the restructuring plan of his new owner Friedkin Group. Last month, Angus Kinneal was appointed Everton's new CEO. According to internal Manchester United, Cox has rejected multiple positions as technical directors and sporting directors in the past. He will remain at the club for the next few months to ensure a smooth transition, with successor selection already in progress.

Since Cox was elected as the youth training director, 27 youth training players have made their debut in Manchester United's first team. Garnacho and Menu scored two goals in last year's FA Cup final, helping the team beat Manchester City 2-1. In 2020, Cox convinced 16-year-old Garnacho and his family to move from Madrid to Manchester via video call. In the same year, Manchester United also signed Alvaro Fernandez and Willy Cambovara, who moved to Benfica and Villarreal respectively last summer. Other notable academy players during Cox's tenure include Harry Armas, Cheetho Obie and Darren Fletcher's twin sons Jack and Taylor.

After Sir Ferguson retired in 2013, the youth training system stagnated. It was not until the 11-year championship drought that it defeated Nottingham Forest in 2022 to win the Youth FA Cup. The game was held in Old Trafford, with a record 67,492 spectators. Manchester United staff praised Cox for his important contributions to improving the standards of the youth training system, including improving processes and culture. Prior to him, the position of youth training director was jointly responsible by John Mertaff and former club secretary John Alexander.

In 2022, Cox won the title of youth training director and became a member of Manchester United's football leadership team. In the Europa League final against Tottenham last month, four academy players recruited or trained during Cox's tenure were on Manchester United's roster.