So far, the rejuvenation for Everton under The Friedkin Group has been monumental in what has been an impressive six months.
Finally, it appears as though Everton are acting like the club they have always been destined to be.
David Moyes’ arrival has helped with that, but The Friedkins’ idea to appoint Moyes was a masterstroke.
The real test begins next season at the Bramley-Moore Dock, which the owners also deserve credit for after financing the stadium in a £350m deal.
However, their first fault might come to the surface in the coming months after Everton legend Leon Osman was completely disregarded.
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Leon Osman’s request to The Friedkin Group at Everton
Dan Friedkin has shown to be a man with real integrity to get the Toffees back to competing for Europe.
Not only does the new stadium bring new opportunity for the club itself, but transfer targets might be intrigued by the project at hand.
Friedkin has a ‘masterplan’ for the Hill Dickinson Stadium, as the new ground is set to boost Everton’s revenue drastically.
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However, despite the club’s future filled with hope, Osman suggested something to The Friedkins when they took over.
The former Everton midfielder who made 433 appearances sent a request to the new owners, with Osman sugesting the ‘key’ is stability.
What he meant by this is that coming into a new club is ‘never a smooth transition’ and drastic changes aren’t always needed, as he said: “If you want that stable base you need to keep the right people in the right places.
“That’s the first step and if you follow that with hard work, all being on the same page and playing as a team and a unit, Everton is the type of team that can put a run together.”
Well, despite his wishes, The Friedkins had other ideas.
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Osman’s plea was completely ignored by The Friedkins at Everton
Osman is a man who knows the club inside and out after his 19 years spent with the Toffees.
The owners would’ve been wise to listen, but instead have taken the approach of a complete revamp.
It started off with the announcement that Kevin Thelwell would leave Everton, as despite criticism, the former Director of Football worked well under the conditions he was dealt, as he now embarks on a new challenge.
With Thelwell gone, big changes were then made with Angus Kinnear and Alex Hammond arriving from Leeds.
Although Everton fans were impressed with Kinnear and he looks to be an astute appointment, if this plan fails, The Friedkins will get the brunt of it.
The Friedkins’ new-look board at Everton
CEO Angus Kinnear
Executive Chairman Marc Watts
Transfer recruitment Nick Hammond
Chief Stadium Development Officer Colin Chong
With a long-term deal pinned for many of these new recruits, there is no going back, and this could result in financial loss if the drastic actions taken flop miserably.
Everything has panned out well for the time being but the next few months will be very telling.
If it works, Everton are on their way up, but if it fails, Osman will be the one saying ‘I told you so’.