The Friedkin Group has sold Everton after a tenure marked by financial stabilisation but a perceived lack of emotional investment, with Roma consistently taking priority. The decision to part ways follows a period in which the American owners never fully embraced the club's culture, leaving supporters disenchanted.
Roma Always Came First
Dan Friedkin, who also owns Serie A side Roma, frequently demonstrated where his footballing heart lay. He personally flew both Romelu Lukaku and Jose Mourinho into Rome when they signed for the Italian club, yet never made a similar gesture for Everton. In 2022, he and his son Ryan celebrated Roma's UEFA Europa Conference League triumph by riding through the streets of the Italian capital on an open-top bus, while Everton fans waited in vain for comparable displays of affection.
The 61-year-old, an avid golfer who built the Congaree course in South Carolina and owns Diamond Creek Golf Club in North Carolina, made his annual pilgrimage to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last year. Despite being on the greens the day before Everton's home game with Crystal Palace, he flew straight to Rome for the European Football Clubs General Assembly, where he serves as one of nine executive committee members.
Financial Stability but No Romance
Under The Friedkin Group, Everton's finances were placed on a surer footing, but the romance was absent. The club had endured a turbulent period under Farhad Moshiri, who churned through eight managers in as many years, suffered two points deductions for financial breaches, and came within a single Abdoulaye Doucoure goal of relegation after posting the lowest equivalent points total in the club's history.
The Friedkins had a four-year head start with Roma, having purchased them from James Pallotta on August 6, 2020. The ECHO understands they were initially hopeful of engineering a workaround if both clubs qualified for European competition, but ultimately they were thwarted. This dilemma, combined with a lack of appetite to embrace Evertonian matters, compelled them to sell up.
Fan Frustration Over Transfer Policy
The club's collapse from being just three points off a Champions League place following a 3-0 victory over Chelsea on March 21 to finishing 13th raised questions about the lack of January reinforcements. Manager David Moyes was arguably let down, especially in the lengthy pursuit of a specialist right-back. Number one target Guela Doue joined Bayer Leverkusen on September 1 for less than £26million, four days after Brentford paid £35million plus add-ons for El Hadji Malick Diouf from relegated West Ham United.
An issue that had been brewing for several months came to a head in August, as those within the game were told Everton would need to sell before they bought. This led to Nottingham Forest's late interest in Harrison Armstrong and TFG's initial willingness to cash in on the home-grown hero, before supporters threatened to riot and the club saw sense.
Attractive Proposition for Future Buyers
Despite the frustrations, both Moyes and the Friedkins agree the club is now an attractive proposition that should entice a much better calibre of buyer than when Moshiri was dealing with an assortment of tyre kickers.
Meanwhile, the 35th Dixie Dean Memorial Award evening will be held in Goodison Park's main stand Alex Young Suite on Friday October 30, from 7.30 to 11pm. The Everton FC Heritage Society invites fans to salute two-times league title winner Johnny Morrissey, who missed just one of the 42 league games during the iconic 1969/70 championship season. Peter Reid and Ronny Goodlass will be among the special guests paying tribute. Tickets are £22.38 and must be purchased in advance via the Eventbrite web link.
