Leighton Baines

Leighton John Baines (born 11 December 1984) is an English professional football coach and former player who played as a left-back. He is the assistant manager of Premier League club Everton. Baines started his career with Wigan Athletic, and was part of the team that won the Second Division in the 2002–03 season and was a runner-up in the 2004–05 Championship and the 2006 League Cup final. He joined Everton in 2007, helping them reach the 2009 FA Cup final. He played for England at under-21 and senior levels. Baines was included in the England squads at UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He retired from playing in July 2020, going on to integrate into coaching. Baines occupied a dual role at Everton, serving as the manager of their under-18 team and as a professional development coach for the club's Academy. He contributed to a brief spell as interim manager in 2025, before being promoted to the first-team coaching staff.