Everton fans have reacted to the news that The Friedkin Group (TFG) has put the club up for sale. TFG issued a statement announcing that they are open to selling after purchasing a 94.1% stake in the club from Farhad Moshiri back in December 2024.
Statement from The Friedkin Group
In a statement released on Friday morning, the club confirmed: "The Friedkin Group is exploring new investment options for Everton Football Club, including the potential sale of a controlling interest.
"When TFG became custodians of Everton, the club faced significant financial uncertainty and challenges both on and off the pitch.
"The immediate priority was to provide the stability, investment and support needed to secure the club’s future, including helping to bring the long-promised stadium to completion for its deserving supporters.
"With that foundation now safely in place, the time is right to consider the next chapter for Everton. We will only entertain interest from parties who we strongly believe will be the right stewards to take the club forward and build on the momentum that has been established.
"Throughout this process, TFG’s focus will remain unchanged. We will support the club in all ways necessary to achieve success on the pitch and will continue efforts to make a positive difference in the communities the club serves."
Fans share their views
The ECHO went to speak to fans in Liverpool city centre to gather their views following the club's statement this morning.
Patrick, 35 from West Derby and a lifelong Everton supporter, said: "I’m not actually that surprised really; I think it was, after the summer transfer window, looking quite evident that we were going to get sold.
"They haven’t been to a game in two years since the takeover, but with that being said they have stabilised the club, and I think they’re in a better position than what they had been previously.
"For investors looking, it would be a good chance to improve the club with the new stadium and the surroundings around the ground. I think it’s looking positive for Everton in a way, but I’m not surprised at all that the club is for sale."
Shaun Nuttall, 53, of Skelmersdale, said: "The transfer window was a disaster. It’s a small squad, so we want someone who wants to invest and look after the club, and not someone who’s coming in to use it as a business. We want someone who is passionate about the club.
"We’ve got a brand new stadium, we want someone who’s going to invest money and give David Moyes the money to go out and buy players."
David Cummings, 62, said: "The organisation [The Friedkin Group] that bought Everton used it as a cash cow and they got what they want out of it.
"They own another Italian football club [AS Roma] and I think they just want to concentrate on that. It proves to me that they didn’t offer longevity for Everton in the first place."
David Moyes reacts
David Moyes has admitted he was surprised when the news broke that TFG had put Everton for sale and he only found out himself on Friday morning.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of his side's visit to Hull City the Everton boss said: "I was surprised because they'd only come in a year-and-a-half ago.
"I think most of us expected them to be here for the next 20-30 years. But maybe after the way things worked out in the transfer window, I think we'd seen through that.
"I'm a little bit surprised but maybe I shouldn't be surprised. No (I don't feel let down) because I love this club too much and they could have sold it (the job) to me at any time and I still would have taken it. It's for Evertonians that I'm more disappointed because they've been through so many difficult periods. The last thing they really wanted to hear was this.
"We went through a season (last year) without too much drama, apart from the money we had to pay for Burnley, but we were challenging at the right end of the league. So I'm more disappointed for Evertonians that they have to go through another period of 'who are going to be the new owners'.
"It’s a great club and if there’s anyone out there who wants to buy it, and if they want to speak me, I’ll be the first one to talk to them and let them know it’s worth buying."
