Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Everton Football Club is officially up for sale.
The Friedkin Group are ready to sell Everton, and the club could soon be under new ownership.
At the moment, it’s unclear who will take over at Everton, but speculation has already started.
Amanda Staveley is a potential investor, while John Textor’s past comments make for interesting reading.
Andrea Radrizzani is potentially another name to keep an eye on. The former Leeds boss knows Everton CEO, Angus Kinnear, very well having worked with him at Elland Road, and he has made comments in the past suggesting he may well buy another Premier League team in the future.
What is your message to The Friedkin Group as they put the club up for sale? 😳
Dan Friedkin
Dan Friedkin
Andrea Radrizzani’s comments on buying a club like Everton
Speaking to Sky Sports after leaving Leeds, Radrizzani made it clear that he may well look to buy another English club in the future.
“Do you think you will own another club in England?” Radrizzani was asked.
“It will never be like Leeds, but why not? But I would see it not so much as a passion but rather an investment opportunity with other partners,” Radrizzani said.
“But yes, why not? If there is a club that requires an intervention, and we see an opportunity, then why not?”
Radrizzani would later invest in Sampdoria, and while that didn’t go to plan, he made it clear after that chapter that he’s not finished in football.
“We’ll see. When I terminated Leeds, I had the instinctive reaction that I wanted to help Sampdoria, that it was in difficulty and I saved the club from bankruptcy. But after a few months I realised that mentally I was not in a good space to take a big commitment as football requires, because football is not a typical business, it’s a social business in a way that you have a huge impact with the people, with the community, so you need to take it seriously and be present,” Radrizzani told Sky.
“And when I realised that I was mentally ready to do that, I called myself out, so now I’m taking a break, but I’m getting better, I’m in good shape now, I’m getting strong again and I will look at some opportunities. Maybe soon, let’s see.”
Angus Kinnear’s relationship with Andrea Radrizzani analysed
Mentioning Radrizzani’s name isn’t just a case of putting two and two together for no reason.
Radrizzani has a long-term working relationship with Angus Kinnear, who, of course, is involved at the top at Everton.
Radrizzani has previously praised Kinnear upon appointing him at Leeds.
“I am delighted to bring in a Managing Director of Angus’ calibre and experience and on behalf of everyone at Leeds United, I would like to wish him a very warm welcome to the club.
“I have experienced working with Angus in the past and I am confident his commercial experience and management skills will help to bring Leeds United to the next level of engagement for partners and fans.
“Angus has an excellent track record during leading roles at Arsenal and West Ham and I am sure he will contribute a great deal to the club.
Kinnear’s time at Leeds was successful as he oversaw promotion, and he also played a part in overseeing the deal to sell Leeds to 49ers Enterprises a few years ago too.
Kinnear and Radrizzani have that link, Radrizzani has said he would be open to buying another English club in the future, and he may already know The Friedkins from his time as a Serie A owner too.
This could well be a situation to keep an eye on.