Brian Sorensen visited the Everton squad this week ahead of taking over as manager in the summer, with interim boss Chris Roberts praising the clarity he has already brought to the club.

Roberts has been in temporary charge of the Toffees since February following Jean-Luc Vasseur’s dismissal, and Fortuna Hjorring boss Sorensen was named as the club’s new permanent manager at the beginning of April.

Sorensen will take the position ahead of the 2022/23 season, but travelled to Everton to meet the staff and players this week ahead of beginning his new role in the summer.

„Delighted at Brian’s appointment and really looking forward to him starting,“ Roberts said. „He’s been over to meet the players and the staff this week which has been great, it’s been good to get to know him and hear about his vision and the way he wants to go about things. Really exciting appointment for someone who’s got a proven record of winning and developing players.

„I believe he’s going to be back and forth and visiting the club on a regular basis between now and the end of the season – of course with respect to his current club.

„He is very, very clear on how he wants to go about things. He’s very clear on his vision, playing style, recruitment style, his philosophy, so really positive seeing that clarity on how he wants to work.“

Sorensen’s appointment was announced over two months after Vasseur was sacked. Vasseur had only lasted 95 days in charge, having been appointed following Willie Kirk’s surprise dismissal, and Roberts emphasised the importance of patience in the recruitment process to ensure Everton secured the right candidate.

„It was really important as a club that we didn’t rush the process,“ Roberts added. „They’ve been very clear since day one that they started the recruitment drive that it was about getting the right person regardless of the time frame.“