Former Everton striker Francis Jeffers has been charged with coaching the club’s next generation of marksmen.
Jeffers was working within the Blues’ academy set-up over the past 18 months but has been appointed as a designated coach for strikers.
The 35-year-old graduated from Everton’s youth system in the 1990s to score 31 times in 51 appearances for the first-team across six combined seasons.
He said: “I’ll be working with all the forward-thinking players in the Academy, trying to help them on their journey, which I know a bit about because I have been on it myself.
“I’m passionate about coaching and there is no better place to do that than at the club I love.
“It’s a lot harder now to break through at academies because a striking role can be made up of various aspects; playing out wide, playing in a three or playing up there on your own.
“Back when I started, the things I did in the youth team were the same things I did when I got into the first team. We only ever played with two up-front.
“I played in a 4-4-2 in the youth teams, A and B teams, reserves and then, when I got in the first-team, I also played in a two, be it with Duncan Ferguson or Kevin Campbell.
“But you look at it now and teams play mainly with one striker, some play with none.
“Helping forwards be ready for that challenge is something I’m really passionate about because I believe the kids in the Academy need more help as a striker.”