sport news AHEAD OF THE GAME: Everton future in the balance for technical director Marcel ...

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Everton technical director Marcel Brands is facing an uncertain future at Goodison Park despite the success of last summer’s big signings James Rodriguez, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan.

The 58-year-old Dutchman has not been offered an extension to a contract that expires next summer and has been told that any talks over a new deal will have to wait until after the January transfer window.

Brands’ fate is likely to hinge largely on his relationship with Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti, whose influence over transfers has grown during his year at the club.

And the Italian, who is under contract until 2024, gave Brands his backing on Friday. ‘We have a good relationship but apart from this friendship, he’s doing a fantastic job,’ Ancelotti said.

‘He has been here in the club longer than me. I found the club well-organised and a really important scouting department, so it would be important for him to continue and find a deal with the club.’

Brands is seen at Everton as having done a good recruitment job in his two years in the role, but he has been less successful at offloading some of the players Ancelotti is eager to move on.

That has left the club with a large wage-bill and slightly unbalanced squad.

David Sullivan is open to selling part of his stake in West Ham at a discount after failing to find a buyer willing to meet his £700million valuation.

The co-owner has let it be known he would accept around

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