Marcel Brands says events of the past week underline why he was eager to commit to a new three-year contract with Everton.
Director of Football Brands, who was appointed at Goodison Park in the summer of 2018, insists winning silverware is the fundamental element of an overarching goal to make Evertonians “happy and proud”.
The Dutchman confessed Everton’s structure and values were instrumental in opting for the Club when he finished a decorated spell with PSV Eindhoven three years ago.
WATCH A VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH MARCEL BRANDS ABOVE OR HERE.
News of Brands’ renewed terms emerged at the end of a week when Everton publicly – and strongly – opposed the idea of a roped-off European Super League.
“When I took the decision to choose Everton three years ago, I took a long time to think about it, because it was a big step,” Brands told evertontv.
“But if you look at last week, I think everyone recognised why you should choose for a club like Everton.
“[We are] authentic, we respect the values of human beings, we respect the values of our fans.
“That is one of the most important things.
“I always feel close to the fans and close to the people.
“I really realise that, without fans, I have no job.
“We play football for our fans and we should never forget that.”
Brands, formerly a player with multiple clubs in his homeland, began as a director of football with RKC Waalwijk, where he had seven years.
He joined AZ Alkmaar in 2005, helping establish the provincial club in the upper reaches of Dutch football, eventually, in 2009, becoming the first team in 28 years to break the domestic championship monopoly of the heavyweight trio of Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord.
Recruited by PSV in 2010, he spent eight years in Eindhoven, steadily aiding the revitalisation of the 1988 European champions and winning Dutch titles in three of his final four seasons.
And Brands maintains that his all-encompassing role determines he goes into every job for the long haul.
“When I came to England almost three years ago my plan wasn’t to stay only three years,” said Brands.
“My job is a long-term job and in the previous clubs where I worked, I stayed a long time.
“I am really happy to stay at this club longer.
“It is a long-term job, trying to build something for a long time, with a structure behind it.
“From Academy to First Team, from recruitment to sports science and medical – all departments involved in football.
“It takes serious time to get all these departments in line with each other and we are working hard on that.”
WATCH A VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH MARCEL BRANDS ABOVE OR HERE.
Another incentive for remaining, revealed Brands, was relationships with Majority Shareholder Farhad Moshiri, Chairman Bill Kenwright and Denise Barrett-Baxendale, the Club’s Chief Executive, founded on mutual trust.
The 59-year-old, then, confirmed his head was never turned by interest from elsewhere, with everything in place at Everton to build on progress achieved in the past three years.
“The ambitions of the Club are great, everyone wants to be part of that – especially me, not only as Director of Football, but as a Board member, working closely with my colleagues,” continued Brands, who disclosed he speaks every day with manager Carlo Ancelotti.
“A lot of ambitious and good things are happening with our club and, for that, I have to thank our owner, Farhad Moshiri, because he is really supportive.
“Once I choose something – I go 100 per cent.
“I am never satisfied – we have to do more and work harder.
“I think we are making good progress but there is still a lot to achieve.
“We want to win things and be in Europe – but then I will want more.
“You should always try to get best out of yourself and the people around you.”
Asked about summer squad-strengthening plans, Brands admitted Everton would seek to improve while alighting on a balance between finance and recruitment.
There will be room in the squad for Academy prospects, too, confirmed Brands, who added: “Nothing makes you more happy than when the fans are happy and proud and that should be the goal of everyone at Everton.”
