Leighton Baines is in talks with Everton over a new role within the club.
Baines broke off a 13-year association with the Blues in late July by calling time on his lengthy playing career at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.
The former England international came on as a late substitute for Carlo Ancelotti’s side in their 3-1 reversal to Bournemouth at Goodison Park.
Ancelotti admitted that he hoped Everton could utilise both the 35-year-old’s ‘knowledge and experience’ in some capacity after hanging up his boots.
Talks have now taken place between Baines and senior club figures including director of football Marcel Brands and CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale.
In a letter to supporters, Professor Barrett-Baxendale outlined the Goodison hierarchy’s confidence of soon confirming the ex-defender’s new role.
She said: “I can assure you we did everything we could to extend Leighton’s playing career with us – although we completely respect his decision and wish him well for his future.
“As our chairman said in his tribute to one of the best left-backs ever to have graced Goodison and the Premier League, Leighton knows the love and respect that Evertonians feel towards him…and that’s what really matters to him.
“Marcel and I have been working behind-the-scenes with Leighton over the last few weeks and are excited about how we might be able to continue a relationship with him in future.
“We’re currently working through some of the final details, which we believe will be great for Leighton and for our football club.
“While we’re not in a position to confirm this yet, I assure you that you will be the first to know – as I know how much Leighton means to you and how interested you’ll be in any role we confirm with him.”