Graeme Jones: 'Joining Everton wasn't difficult'

Newly-appointed Everton assistant Graeme Jones has said that it was not a difficult decision to follow Roberto Martinez to Goodison Park.

The Spaniard was named as David Moyes's successor last month and has taken four members of his backroom staff with him to Merseyside.

Although Jones did not have to think long about stepping into Steve Round's shoes, he admitted that it was not easy to end his eight-year association with the Latics.

However, he and Martinez are now looking forward to the new challenge with the Toffees.

"It wasn't a difficult decision to join Everton but it was a difficult decision to leave Wigan because I had four years there as a player and four years there as assistant manager," the 43-year-old told evertonfc.tv.

"You have a certain attachment to any club - if I have eight years at Everton it would certainly be difficult to leave. You meet good people but we felt like the time was right, the opportunity was right and we took it. We are ready to go.

"It is the next step for us and it's a huge club with huge tradition. You notice the great standards straight away when dealing with the people in and around the club. The club motto (nothing but the best) certainly rings true."

Goalkeeping coach Inaki Bergara, chief scout Kevin Reeves and head of performance Richard Evans have also joined the Everton staff.