David Moyes became known for his shrewd signings during his first Everton stint, and there have been signs of history repeating itself this year with Jack Grealish's arrival. However, one of Moyes' most important early recruits might have never happened without the manager's number two forcing his hand. Club legend Leighton Baines is now part of Moyes' coaching staff, taking up a role with Everton's academy after retiring in 2020 and taking a more prominent role with the senior side since the Scottish manager returned last season.
His past as an Everton player made him a natural fit, but fellow coach Alan Irvine says Moyes wasn't always convinced of the left-back's qualities. "David would tell you, I actually forced him to sign Leighton (as a player)," Irvine - Moyes' assistant when Baines signed from Wigan for £6million in 2007 - told The Athletic. "Joleon (Lescott) gave us an extra big one (at left-back), and he initially wasn't sure about Leighton. "I used to bang the drum for the small ones because I was a late developer.
That conversation clearly paid dividends, with Baines playing more than 400 times for Everton in more than a decade at Goodison Park. Only three players have more Premier League appearances for Everton than Baines, who finished with 348 in total: Seamus Coleman, Tim Howard and Leon Osman.
No player has more assists for the club in the competition, either, and he's in the all-time top 40 for the Premier League. Now 40 years of age, Baines is already taking big steps in the next chapter of his career as well.
"He's already a very good coach and could become a manager one day," Irvine said of the former defender. "He's got good ideas about the game and he's very well prepared for sessions. He has a good way about him in terms of delivering it, real attention to detail, which is important."
Back in March, Everton defender Jake O'Brien spoke about the impact Baines was having under Moyes at both ends of the pitch. "We are not just doing it collectively but individually after training with coaches," the Irishman said after his late equaliser against West Ham.
"That is part of the training we are working on, getting into the final third and creating chances," he added. "I think we have shown that today we are just unlucky we didn't finish them.
"Leighton has been a big part of it; all the coaches have been part of it, getting a few players in, attacking and defending, working on different things. I think it showed in glimpses today. The more games I play, the more comfortable you become. You adapt to and I have good lads and coaches around that helps."
Everton have gone three games unbeaten this season since opening their Premier League campaign with a late defeat at Leeds, and also beat Mansfield Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup. Moyes, Baines and co have a huge test this weekend, though, facing Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime.