David Unsworth is set to leave Everton at the end of this season.
Unsworth currently combines a dual role as academy director and head coach of the club’s under-23s team, a role he has held since returning in 2013.
The ex-defender, 48, steered the Blues’ young guns to a Premier League 2 title in 2017 before following it up with a league and cup double two years later.
He took charge of the first-team as caretaker on two occasions, first in in the wake of Roberto Martinez’s sacking and again for an eight-game run in 2017.
But Unsworth confirmed on Tuesday that he intends to cut ties with Goodison Park this summer in order to gain senior managerial experience elsewhere.
He said: “This has been one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in my career.
“Everyone knows what Everton means to me, it has been my whole life and I have loved every minute of my time here.
“However, to give me the best chance of achieving my career aspirations – and becoming a permanent first team manager – I believe now is the right time for me to move on.
“I would like to thank everyone I have worked with over the last nine years and the owner and chairman for the opportunities they have given me and for their unstinting support.
“Everton is an amazing club and a club I will love forever – I wish everyone connected with Everton, every success in the future.”