Trevor Birch quits as Tottenham’s director of football operations after just 15 months to become EFL chief executive – a job he says he ‘couldn’t turn down’
- Trevor Birch will take over from current chief David Baldwin on January 1
- Birch has previously been chief executive at Chelsea, Everton, Leeds United, Sheffield United and Derby County, as well as chairman of Swansea City
- His brief will include dealing with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic and managing the reform of the structure and governance of the national game
- He has been involved at every level of football from player to chairman
Tottenham Hotspur’s director of football operations is to become the next chief executive of the English Football League.
Trevor Birch will take over at the EFL on January 1, after the current chief, David Baldwin steps down.
The appointment of Birch, who has held prominent roles within football, including chief executive of Chelsea, Everton, Leeds United, Sheffield United and Derby County, as well as chairman of Swansea City, was announced by the EFL on Thursday.
Trevor Birch is leaving Tottenham Hotspur to take over as chief executive of the EFL
Birch has experienced the national game at every level. He is a former footballer who began his career at Liverpool, before spells with Shrewsbury, Chester, Marine, Runcorn and Norwich Victoria.
The 62-year-old is a chartered accountant who worked for Ernst & Young. He became Chelsea’s chief executive in 2002 and was involved in the 2003 takeover by Roman Abramovich.
He is credited with playing a pivotal role in the development of the Blues as a modern super-club.
As well as chief executive roles at Leeds and Everton, he has held high-ranking positions at Derby and Sheffield United.
Birch has been involved at every level of the national game from player to chairman
In addition, he has played administrator roles at Portsmouth and Hearts and took over as chairman at Swansea City following the departure of Huw Jenkins in 2019.
Birch joined Spurs on September 1, 2020.
EFL chairman, Rick Parry said: ‘Trevor’s vast experience has impressed me throughout our discussions in regards to the role, and having been a strong candidate in 2019 before withdrawing from the process, I am delighted that he has opted to take up the position and is able to join the League so promptly.
‘I have no doubt that his acumen and experience will prove valuable for the EFL as we look to navigate our way out of the unprecedented set of circumstances presented to us by Covid-19 alongside considering the challenges of future reform to the pyramid as we look to develop long-term sustainability in the EFL.’
The current chief executive at the EFL, David Baldwin, is standing down at the end of the year
Birch added: ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of Spurs, however the opportunity to play a role in the EFL at such a crucial time is one I couldn’t turn down.
‘There is a big job to be done dealing with the effect of the pandemic, together with participating in discussions on the future structure of football and I hope I can make a meaningful contribution to that process.’
EFL chairman Rick Parry said he was sure Birch’s ‘acumen and experience will prove valuable’
Source link