Francis Jeffers has left his role as Everton Under-23s coach to take up a new position with League One side Ipswich Town.

Jeffers joins Ipswich as first-team coach and will work alongside manager Paul Cook.

Boyhood Evertonian Jeffers came through the ranks at the Blues’ Academy and went on play 82 First-Team matches for the Toffees across two spells at the Club, scoring 22 goals.

During a successful 16-year professional career, Jeffers also turned out for the likes of Arsenal, Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers – and enjoyed a loan spell at Ipswich in 2007.

Upon the conclusion of his playing career, Jeffers returned to Everton to work as a youth coach at the Club’s Academy. 

He was promoted to the role of Everton Under-23s coach in 2018 and became a key part of manager David Unsworth’s backroom team.

“Everton is my club – it always has been and always will be – but I am ambitious and this opportunity is too good for me to turn down,” Jeffers told evertonfc.com.

“Everton gave me my break as a player and then again as a coach and I will always be so grateful for those chances.  

“Wherever my coaching career takes me, my heart will always be here at Everton.

“I have loved every second of working with Unsy, John Ebbrell and all the staff at USM Finch Farm and I wish them well for the future. 

“It’s a bright future, that’s for sure, because there’s a very exciting and talented crop of young players coming through now.

“As for my new challenge, Ipswich Town is too big a club to be in League One and I am looking forward to helping the team to get back to where it belongs. 

“I’ve been a big admirer of Paul Cook and his work for many years and to now be a part of his backroom team is very exciting.

“I’ve played at Portman Road and there’s a passionate fanbase that is desperate to see the good days back and I want to be a part of bringing those days back.”

“I’m excited by the future but obviously there’s a sadness at leaving Everton – but that’s football and you have to follow the opportunities.”