Marcel Brands has quit his position as Everton director of football, with the club giving their “full support” to manager Rafa Benitez.
He has left his role prior to Monday night’s game facing Arsenal at Goodison Park.
Brands earlier worked as the director of football at PSV and took over the Everton job from Steve Walsh in 2018.
A club statement stated: “The owner and directors would like to thank Marcel for the service he has given to the club over the past three-and-a half-years and wish him well for his future.”
“A strategic review of the football structure will now take place which will inform the best model for the club to proceed with in the long term.”
“In the meantime, the owner and board of directors will continue to provide our manager, Rafa Benitez, with their full support.”
Brands came under extreme pressure in the past few weeks – along with other members of the Everton ladder – and the situation augmented following the Merseyside derby trounce on Wednesday when he was verbally attacked by fans after the game.
He voiced: “On Friday, following a personal conversation with the chairman and my fellow board members, we agreed that I would step down from my post as director of football and as a member of the Everton football club board.”
“This decision has taken some time and some consideration and was one of the most difficult I have faced in my career.”
“The board and I agreed that there is a clear difference in the vision and direction for this beautiful club and, with that in mind, the decision was taken.”
“I want to thank everyone in the club who I have worked closely with over the last three-and-a-half years. There are a lot of talented people at Everton with huge passion and commitment to move the club forward, both on and off the pitch.”
“I want to wish all of the squad every success, and I am convinced that there is enough quality to improve the current situation quickly.”
“It has been an honour for me to work at this fantastic club and I wish everyone associated with Everton the very best for the future.”
Everton have not earned a league game since defeating Norwich on September 25 and have plunged to 16th in the Premier League table.
They have fetched two points from a possible 24 and sit five points above the relegation zone.
After playing Arsenal, Rafael Benitez’s side travel to Crystal Palace and Chelsea prior hosting Leicester on December 19.
