Hope on the Horizon At Last or Another False Dawn for Everton Football Club?

The reign of current owner Farhad Moshiri began brightly enough at Everton. In his first three seasons—albeit under three different permanent managers—the club finished seventh, eighth, and eighth once more in the Premier League between 2017 and 2019, spending €389 million on new signings.

Hope on the Horizon or Another False Dawn for Everton?

Don Carlo and Massive, Misplaced Ambition

The capture of Carlo Ancelotti in December 2019 to replace Marco Silva was considered particularly brilliant, especially given Arsenal had chosen to appoint the rookie Mikel Arteta to his first managerial post just one day earlier.

However, Ancelotti could only lead Everton to 12th place at the end of the 2019-20, and then tenth in his first and only full season in 2020-21 despite the €74.37 million transfer spend.

The Terrible Seasons of Turmoil

Another big name, Champions League winning manager in Rafael Benitez was appointed in June 2021 once Ancelotti had chosen to depart for Real Madrid. After three wins in the first four matches, results nose-dived. Everton won just once in the next ten, and lost seven. They won one and lost three of the next five, and Benitez was sacked in January.

Two weeks later, he was replaced by Frank Lampard. He lost five of his first six matches in charge but somehow managed to survive. The club finished in 16th place, their lowest league finish since 2003-04.

Everton began the 2022-23 season in terrible form, winless after six matches, and collecting just three wins from 21 matches to 21st January, 2023. They lost 11 of 21, and Lampard was sacked to be replaced by Sean Dyche. He won two of his first three matches, and for the second successive season, the club staved off relegation to finish 17th in the league.

Last season, in 2023-24, Everton started their Premier League campaign with three losses in three, and spent yet another season fighting relegation but did just enough to survive once more and finish in 15th place.

Winds of Change and Hope on the Horizon

The 2024-25 season has brought only further disappointment on the pitch for Everton’s long suffering fans. Winless after the first five matches, with just one draw, they managed their first win of the campaign at home against Crystal Palace last Saturday.

Perhaps, it is only coincidence it happened merely five days after the Friedkin Group finally reached agreement to buy Farhad Moshiri’s 94% majority stake in the club. Or maybe, things have finally turned for the better at Everton.

The takeover deal, believed to be worth more than £400m, is still subject to regulatory approval from the Premier League, the Football Association and the Financial Conduct Authority but should be expected to go through without further problems.

If and when it does, Everton will become the tenth current Premier League club to be majority-owned by Americans.

Who are the Friedkin Group?

The US-based Friedkin Group, led by chairman Dan Friedkin, are estimated to be worth around £5.7bn, and also own the Italian Serie A club AS Roma.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement to become custodians of this iconic football club. We are focused on securing the necessary approvals to complete the transaction,” said one spokesperson for the group on Monday, 21st September.

“We look forward to providing stability to the club and sharing our vision for its future, including the completion of the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.”

What the Future Might Hold for Dyche and Everton

Dan Friedkin is widely expected to replace Sean Dyche once the takeover is complete in December. Whether he chooses to do it in January 2025 to allow the new manager some immediate transfers or waits until Dyche’s contract has expired in the summer is anyone’s guess.

It is rumored the Friedkin Group consider Maurizio Sarri an option if results under Dyche do not improve while Graham Potter and even Gareth Southgate have been linked to the job already.

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