Everton: Former Barry Town and The New Saints bosses’ appointed to key roles
Two Cymru Premier figures will shape the future of Everton. (Image: Everton FC/Wikimedia Commons)
Everton have appointed two former Cymru Premier figures to key roles as part of a restructure of the Premier League club’s academy coaching set-up.
The Toffees are making several changes within their academy following the appointment of Dean Rastrick as their new Academy Director in June, with several role changes and new arrivals confirmed.
Among those changes are two former Cymru Premier managers, with one taking on a new position at Goodison Park while another arrives after a spell in management in the English Football League.
Former Barry Town boss David Hughes has joined Everton as Head of Academy Player Development, replacing Paul Tait, who departs after a 16-year association with the Merseyside club. As part of his role, he will manage the U21 team in the Premier League 2 and other competitions.
Meanwhile, ex-The New Saints manager Carl Darlington has been appointed Head of Academy Coach Development after previously serving as the academy’s interim director.
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David Hughes – Former Newport County manager to lead Everton’s Academy
Wrexham-born Hughes began his playing career with Cefn Druids before moving on to sign for Aston Villa. He later went on to represent Shrewsbury Town, Cardiff City, but had to retire from professional football at 26. His career did briefly restart, albeit at a semi-professional level with Port Talbot Town.
Hughes moved into management in 2003, taking charge of Barry Town. He briefly stepped aside to work under Colin Addison before returning to the role, but financial difficulties eventually led to his departure. He later took up a coaching position with Port Talbot Town.
Further opportunities in the EFL followed, with Hughes taking on the role of Head of Youth Development at Shrewsbury Town, as well as a coaching position at Watford. He also spent time working with the Wales youth setup, serving as assistant manager across the U17 to U21 age groups, before returning to club football with Aston Villa and later Southampton.
Hughes would go on to hold a similar role to the one he is set to take at Everton with Cardiff City, before being headhunted by global giants Manchester United during the Erik ten Hag era.
The 48-year-old returned to South Wales in May 2025, taking charge of Newport County. He oversaw 22 matches during his tenure, recording four victories, before being replaced by Christian Fuchs.
Embed from Getty ImagesNew role for successful New Saints manager
Carl Darlington has been with Everton since October 2022, initially joining the club as Head of Academy Coaching. Over the past 14 months, he has served as the Toffees’ interim Academy Director before moving into his new role as Head of Academy Coach Development.
Before his move to Merseyside, Darlington was Head of Coach Education at the Football Association of Wales, while also holding a number of other roles within the national set-up, including Senior National Team Opposition Scout, Individual Player Monitoring, and manager positions with the Wales U16 and U19 Women’s teams. He was also involved as an assistant coach with the U16, U17 and U19 sides.
The 44-year-old’s coaching career began in the Welsh domestic game, where he worked as assistant manager at Cefn Druids and later Airbus UK, before taking his first senior managerial role with Welsh football giants The New Saints.
During his time at Park Hall, Darlington enjoyed significant success, winning the Cymru Premier title and Welsh Cup, while being named Manager of the Year in consecutive seasons. He also guided TNS to three successive league titles.
A return to his boyhood club Wrexham followed, where Darlington worked under Kevin Wilkin before taking charge of the Red Dragons on an interim basis. He later returned to The New Saints as part of Craig Harrison’s coaching staff before heading back to Wrexham to work under Dean Keates.
