Everton Owners Consider Selling Club Less Than Two Years After Takeover

The Friedkin Group (TFG) is exploring the possibility of selling its controlling stake in Everton Football Club, less than two years after taking over the Premier League side.

The American ownership group, led by chairman Dan Friedkin, completed its takeover in 2024 in a deal believed to be worth more than £400 million. The announcement signals a potential new chapter for Everton, following a period of financial uncertainty, investment and the opening of the club’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

In a statement, TFG said its immediate priorities had been to stabilise the club, provide financial support and help secure Everton’s long-term future.

With those foundations now in place, the group believes it is the right time to consider its future involvement, including the potential sale of a controlling interest.

TFG stressed, however, that it would only consider offers from parties it believes could provide the right leadership and take the club forward sustainably.

Mixed reaction to ownership

Although TFG helped put Everton on a more stable financial footing following the difficulties experienced under former owner Farhad Moshiri, its time at the club has not been without controversy.

Relations between the ownership and supporters have become increasingly strained, particularly following events during the summer transfer window.

Everton fans reacted angrily after the club accepted a reported £40 million offer from Nottingham Forest for highly rated England Under-19 midfielder Harrison Armstrong. The proposed transfer ultimately collapsed, but the episode added to concerns about the club’s transfer strategy and ambitions.

The subsequent departure of striker Beto to Fiorentina also attracted criticism, leaving Everton with limited recognised options up front.

Meanwhile, manager David Moyes revealed in September that he had never met or spoken to Friedkin since returning to the club in January 2025. Friedkin, who is based in Houston, has largely delegated Everton’s day-to-day running to his son-in-law, Rishi Majithia, working alongside chief executive Angus Kinnear.

These developments have fuelled concerns among supporters about the level of direct involvement from the club’s American ownership.

Financial stability, but questions over ambition

TFG’s principal achievement has been helping Everton move away from the financial uncertainty that overshadowed the final years of Moshiri’s ownership.

The club has also moved into its new stadium, providing an important opportunity to increase commercial income and strengthen its long-term financial position.

However, critics argue that Everton have not demonstrated the same level of ambition in the transfer market that supporters had hoped for when the new owners arrived.

The contrast with TFG’s ownership of Italian club AS Roma has also attracted attention, particularly given the additional financial rewards available to clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League.

Despite Everton currently sitting seventh in the Premier League after seven matches, uncertainty over the ownership’s future could create another period of change for the Merseyside club.

What happens next?

TFG has not confirmed that a sale will take place, and no completed transaction has been announced. For now, the group is exploring its options and considering potential investment opportunities.

The owners insist that their commitment to supporting Everton remains unchanged throughout the process, including efforts to improve performances on the pitch and maintain the club’s contribution to its local community.

Former Everton goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis described the announcement as a shock, while acknowledging that the club is in a stronger position financially than when TFG took control.

She also emphasised the importance of ensuring that any future buyer has the ambition to take Everton forward and avoid a return to the financial instability experienced in previous years.

For Everton supporters, the priority will be finding owners who can build on the progress made off the pitch while delivering greater consistency and ambition on it.

The Daily Round-Up will continue to follow developments surrounding Everton’s ownership and the potential implications for the club’s future.