Here we go again.
It was widely known, but it’s now official: The Friedkin Group is aiming to sell Everton.
A statement, published on Everton’s website on Friday morning, confirmed the news.
“The Friedkin Group is exploring new investment options for Everton Football Club, including the potential sale of a controlling interest,” the official club statement read.
“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.”
So, that’s that. TFG — less than 2 years on from purchasing Everton — are wanting to, at the very least, get in new investment. But, reading between the lines, they seem extremely keen on a full sale or, a sale of the controlling interest.
Now the question is, if this was always their plan?
TFG purchased Everton at a time when the club was on its knees. They got a good deal, and with it came a brand spanking new stadium, and all of the commercial benefits that come with it.
If there was an opportunity to come in and “flip” a Premier League club, then this was it.
That being said, I don’t think we should necessarily mistake that for a lack of ambition.
TFG did invest, but they have also seemed naïve. Everything in the initial couple of months post-purchase just took a bit too long. It took too long to appoint a new CEO; it took too long for that CEO to get their preferred structure in place. Going right back to the start, you could even say it took too long for TFG to realise that Sean Dyche needed to go.
And over the past year, it seems TFG have just lost their appetite to really push Everton on.
In early 2025, TFG lodged their interest in purchasing Nelson’s Dock. They wished to own the land near Hill Dickinson Stadium and expand Everton’s footprint. Yet they were put off by the land owner’s valuation. They never went back.
They provided around £140M worth of funds for transfers in the summer of 2025, and while you can point fingers at those who spent that money, frankly, it is also just not enough to turn a mid-table team into a side that can sustain a European charge, without a lot of luck along the way, at least.
This past summer, something seemed to be fundamentally broken between those on the ground, in Kinnear’s team, and those at the top (or, over in Texas) when it came to the vision for the club and the finances it would take to achieve those goals.
But this whole situation (some might call it a farce) can be summed up by the fact that neither Dan nor Ryan Friedkin have ever attended an Everton match.
That is despite TFG having owned the club during the landmark events of leaving Goodison Park and then moving to Hill Dickinson Stadium. It is despite the fact that just last month, two Prime Ministers — both Evertonians — were in attendance for a home game; would owners who want to wield influence not think of that as an absolutely prime opportunity to attend a fixture?
TFG have put money in and they have helped Everton. They have put the club on a more secure footing. The debt has been consolidated, better commercial deals have been arranged.
They are basics, and the least Evertonians could have expected.
What is vital now is that this sale, whether for a majority or a minority stake, gets completed swiftly. Uncertainty is a killer, and Everton simply can’t afford more uncertainty.
The hope is, that with TFG choosing now of all times — just ahead of the Premier League returning after a 3-week break — to announce their intentions, that a deal or two is in the works. That could be positive thinking taken to the extreme, of course.
Get this chapter over with, and move on. Hopefully, there are owners out there with a grand vision for Everton, but most importantly, the cash and strategy to be able to see that vision play out.
Read more – Moyes sympathises with Evertonians after Friedkin Group open door to sale and new owners