Billy McKinlay

Billy McKinlay, born on April 22, 1969, is a distinguished Scottish football manager and former professional player, currently serving as the assistant manager of Everton. His career as a midfielder saw him make significant contributions in the Premier League, where he played for clubs such as Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City, Bradford City, and Fulham.

In addition to his Premier League experience, McKinlay showcased his talent in the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Football League with Dundee United and Clydebank, respectively. He also made his mark in the Football League with Preston North End. His international career is notable, having earned twenty-nine caps for Scotland and representing his country at Euro 1996 and the 1998 World Cup.

Transitioning into coaching, McKinlay has held various positions, including roles at Fulham, the Northern Ireland national team, and Watford. His brief tenure as Watford's head coach in September 2014 lasted only eight days. Following this, he gained international experience as assistant head coach with Real Sociedad in Spain before moving to Norwegian club Stabæk in November 2015, where he was dismissed in July 2016.

McKinlay's coaching journey continued with stints at Sunderland, Stoke City, and West Ham United. In January 2025, he joined Everton as assistant head coach, collaborating with head coach David Moyes to further enhance the team's performance.