Everton have confirmed the takeover of the Friedkin Group from Farhad Moshiri as the club’s majority shareholder. The American-based firm will now control 94.1% of the club’s shares. The deal sees the end of the Iranian-born businessman’s seven-year stint as Everton owner. In that time, the club has seen a decline in performance, as well as instability and financial difficulties.
Everton Confirm Friedkin Group Takeover
What Next for Everton
The Toffees have been marred with financial issues during Moshiri’s years. The result of which was two points deductions last season due to a breach of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
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This will be Friedkin’s first port of call, much like when the privately held consortium took over Roma, which had similar issues at the time. Getting the club into a financially stable position will take time. We could see a couple of scarce transfer windows for the Toffees. Player sales would be the major influx of cash with young defender Jarrad Branthwaite the most likely to receive a large fee come summer.
Everton Entering a Two-Club Model Under Friedkin Group
With this deal being completed the club will enter a multi-club model that is now commonplace in world football. All other prevalent multi-club models have one main central club which is often fed by the smaller clubs. Manchester City is a prime example, using The City Group as a way to scout and acquire players from around the world.
This is a structure that wouldn’t work with Everton and Roma. Both are historical clubs that are in their respective countries’ top-flight leagues. Neither club would like to be second fiddle to the other.
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On the other hand, both clubs will benefit from an extended scouting network as well as the ability to loan and transact players between each other. This would be more beneficial to the Toffees, who have an ageing starting lineup and a thin first-team quality squad.
Potential Manager Change At Everton
Sean Dyche’s contract at Everton is set to run out at the end of the season. His reign as manager has seen back-to-back relegation fights with the club towards the bottom end of the table once again this season.
The manager’s position has come under fire during his tenure, with multiple instances of fans turning against the manager. Friedkin Group will likely keep the former Burnley manager at the helm to finish this season but will look to make a splash ahead of 2025/26. A new manager and a new stadium with potential signings will produce some optimism among fans.