In December 2021 I wrote the fifth article in this series, now it is time sadly for the sixth. One theme – survival strategy.
Such is the continued demise, the continued mismanagement of our club, that far from discussing the opportunities arising from a new stadium, arising from a successful football team and a booming commercial department, there can only be one thought on Moshiri’s mind, assuming his intent is to retain ownership, and that is survival.
How do we get through the next four months? What happens then?
Firstly, we’ve got to recognise and be brutally honest about the position we are in.
- There’s a huge leadership vacuum in the club
- Our manager and his coaching team are not delivering, the players are bereft of form, belief and increasingly, desire
- Financially, it is clear we can not compete with even the clubs in the lower half of the Premier League
- The club’s communication strategy, particularly relating to the board and the fanbase, is toxic, counter-productive and is in danger of destroying the one leading asset the club retains – the loyalty, passion and support of the fanbase.
The leadership vacuum
We have an owner whose intent is not known. He has allowed all of the club issues to reach crisis point before showing any signs of recognising there is a problem. He has to decide what does he want from his investment to date?
Does he want to continue, to attempt to recover from a potentially disastrous position, to raise the finances for the completion of the stadium, to bring in competent management? Or does he want to draw a line under seven sorry years and sell a distressed asset despite the hundreds of millions he has committed? If it is the latter, then appoint an investment bank and allow them to position, package and sell the club on his behalf.
If it is the former, he has to address his own position, his behaviour, his responsibilities and most importantly that of the board and executive team. It is quite clear that this leadership team are not up to the task before them and haven’t been for many years.
Today, we have a Chairman who first and foremost doesn’t have the health to continue the role, let alone the skills and expertise required of a modern senior executive. For the sake of his health, and that of the club, he needs to be released from his duties. This has to happen in the very short term and should be conducted with dignity.
A new Chair can appoint experienced non-executive directors to bring oversight, to bring fresh ideas, to bring confidence to all our commercial partners, present and in the future, that our pathway is up not down.
We have a CEO who can’t possibly lead us out of the situation we find ourselves in. The same must be true of the majority of the leadership team. These are the people sadly who have reduced our competitive position year on year. Moshiri needs to act, he needs to hire a group of corporate recovery experts, people familiar with turning around failing businesses, people who would know how to restructure in the event of relegation. People who could save us from a potential administration, people who could rescue and maintain the stadium build in the event of relegation.
Our footballing performance
Is there a short term fix to see a turn around in form? Apart from a transfer window rabbit out of the hat, what can be done with this group of players who ultimately will determine our status at the end of the season. What can be done to change their mindset, to refocus their objectives on eighteen games to survive? Can we bring a source of inspiration into the club, someone who can be an inspiration, a motivation that sparks a recovery? Inspirational, motivational speakers exist – they travel globally. Are there former Everton players who can re-inspire a bunch of young multi-millionaires to produce their best once more. Or do we go down the traditional route of a new manager, and look for the famous new manager bounce?
We need the Director of Football to explain the “strategic review” – to clarify the changes made, and the future changes to come. We need clarity over the manager’s position, is his position tenable? Does he fit into the longer term strategy, and if he does, what can change instantly to help him? Similarly if a change of manager is the route the club goes down, what type of manager are we looking for, what additional support would that person receive to halt the merry-go-round of recent years? Who will decide, who will appoint?
Finances
It is clear we don’t have funds to address the glaring omissions in our squad. A combination of reduced revenues arising from lower than budgeted league positions, fewer TV appearances, and the now complete absence of USM related sponsorship funding is hitting us hard, squeezing an already perilous profitability and sustainability position and of course, the future cash calls from the next phase of the stadium build. Moshiri’s public admission that the stadium is now costing £760 million shows the extent of future cash requirements.
Moshiri has invested £450 million to date in the stadium, and is looking to raise a further £250 million from equity investors and/or a combination of debt and equity. Until such a time as this funding is completed, then funding for players will be extremely limited. Even escaping relegation would be no guarantee of significant sums for the summer. We must expect further sales of key players to fund new additions.
Fresh investment will require Moshiri to accept a sensible price for newly issued equity. If, as is believed, he places a current value of £450 million on the club, the prospects of anyone investing at that price seem extremely slim. His argument that this is what he has invested in the stadium and should be reflected in the value of the club is weakened by current losses, the threat of relegation, and the cost of significant player investment in the future.
Selling the club completely would allow sufficiently wealthy investors to fund the stadium and repair the balance sheet which despite Moshiri’s significant funding once more requires attention. Given our still difficult profitability and sustainability position, new owners, regardless of wealth, would not immediately be able to spend extensively. Not unless there are significant and profitable player sales to balance the costs of bringing fresh talent in.
Relegation would bring a whole series of challenges, challenges which I think the existing board would find difficult to deal with. My earlier comments regarding corporate recovery experts, senior respected non executive directors and a heavyweight chair would be very relevant if relegation was to occur.
The club’s revenues would fall by half despite the receipt of parachute payments. An already loss making business could only have two options, both of which would have to be exercised. Firstly is a sale of senior players (i) to reduce costs (ii) to generate cash. Unfortunately, relegated clubs in a forced sale position of key players see a significant reduction in the value of those players. Some studies suggest by up to fifty percent. Secondly there would have to be significant cost cutting across the business including unfortunately, a loss of headcount.
What happens to the stadium would depend on whether the ownership has changed or whether guaranteed funding (new investors) can be agreed whilst we are a Premier League club. If neither are achieved then depending upon the contractual agreements with Laing O’Rourke, the stadium build might be halted. In a worst case scenario, in the event of no new investment, no new owners and Farhad Moshiri unwilling or unable to continue funding then that’s where the prospect of administration raises it’s head. There are other options, the partially completed stadium could be sold to real estate investors who would complete the stadium and lease it back to the club. However most examples of a separation of club owners and their stadia tend to have very poor outcomes, and this option would be a strictly final option. Nevertheless the current owner and board have to have strategies in place depending upon our circumstances.
Communication and fan relationships
It might seem an odd inclusion in any survival strategy discussion, but as identified a survival strategy has to start now, and has to include repairing the damage to the relationship between board and fans. I’ll make it clear once more that there is no room for threats, for anti-social behaviour from anyone purporting to be an Everton fan. Any individual minded to do such, should in my opinion, be cast aside in exactly the same manner as someone using racist, homophobic or any other such inappropriate and disgusting behaviour. All reasonable people accept a total zero tolerance to this.
The existing board whilst in place, and certainly any incoming board or individuals appointed have to recognise that the vast majority of Evertonians, indeed virtually all Evertonians, are the greatest asset the club has, both in good times and as now in difficult times. Most clubs take support for granted, very few genuinely value their supporter base. Even fewer actually distance themselves, damaging the club’s branding and image, and most importantly that of their fans, especially fans with a track record of incredible loyalty, passion and as with the events of last year being the significant factor in last year’s Premier League survival.
To turn that asset, to reduce its effectiveness is so damaging to the club, and provides such a boost to our competitors. Fans, especially so heavily invested as Evertonians, have a right to protest peacefully whilst respecting the safety and security of those that work at the club. They have a right to try and fill that leadership vacuum at the head of the club. They have a right to demand more from an errant owner and an inadequate board. In response, the owner and board have to accept their responsibilities, their obligations and act like the adults in the room. Their leadership skills have to come to the fore right now. They need to know how to bridge the gap, not widen the chasm. As part of a survival strategy, that has to start right now.
The new reality for the existing board and owner is having a survival strategy in place that can be executed without delay. It has to include clarity about ownership, Moshiri’s intentions, the prospects of finding new investors. It has to include a commitment from Moshiri to make board changes as soon as is practical. It has to include how we resolve the manager’s performance – and if change is made how that fits into our longer term football strategy. It has to include how we address the financial performance of the club and our current funding requirements. It has to include what our plan is should we be relegated. It has to include how the current board reconcile their relationship with the fan base.
A failure to create a strategy for all of the above, a failure to then execute that strategy can only reduce our chances of survival even further.
Doing nothing is no longer an option. That’s the challenge facing Farhad Moshiri, the very survival of Everton Football Club.
Reader Comments (69)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()
2 Posted 22/01/2023 at 20:53:19
If we need to sell Gordon to fund 2 strikers who can score goals then so be it. Not many days left in the transfer window so decisions must be made now.
3 Posted 22/01/2023 at 20:53:30
I think we're going down, end of story.
4 Posted 22/01/2023 at 20:54:29
I don't think there's anything to disagree with there. All to agree with. Great article. Some comments if I may, in no particular order of importance.
"Moshiri needs to act, he needs to hire a group of corporate recovery experts, people familiar with turning around failing businesses, people who would know how to restructure in the event of relegation."
Arguably this should be a team comprising not only business minds, as is usual in company turnarounds, but also minds attuned to the world of football business more specifically and the world of football more generally (e.g. the operation of the transfer market). The meeting of those two mindsets might be a challenge?
I think it also requires minds which can focus on both the (rapidly-changing) immediate term and the longer term, and which can determine the impact of one on the other. It requires decision-making which is nimble and agile (just like on the pitch!).
Getting agreement (from Moshiri) to putting such a team in place, and getting the team in place, in such a short preiod of time (weeks at most?) is an enormous challenge. - the biggest challenge.
Lack of finance is only going to be marginally affected by any increase in ticket prices? Something unlikely if we are relegated; and too late in the season to implement now.
It reads very much, though not solely, as though the key decisions in the immediate future will be related to what happens on the football pitch.
I'm sure you'd agree (and do imply) that "misogynistic" should be added to the racist, homophobic etc behaviours we want to see the back of - including on ToffeeWeb.
Great stuff, Paul.
5 Posted 22/01/2023 at 20:54:29
Replacing the manager and his expensively assembled staff is also akin to closing the gate after this particular cart horse has trundled laboriously across the Goodison Park pitch.
I sat up in the Gods at West Ham yesterday and watched 11 guys in yellow desperately trying to avoid being given the football and worse not having the vaguest idea what to do with it should it accidentally come their way.
So Paul, I would surmise that you are an accountant, because while all the information and analysis you provided is perfectly true, it was is, in all honesty bugger all use to anyone.
6 Posted 22/01/2023 at 21:02:25
Once again a thoughtful and comprehensive account of the many issues that need to be addressed in order for the club to survive in its present format.
I suspect however that you identify many more issues than the present board will be prepared to address or even acknowledge,as this would demonstrate their undoubted culpability.
You mention bringing in experienced non-executive directors to bring new ideas and give confidence to our commercial partners.My question is, where are these people and how do we get them on board ?
By the way,love your euphemism “ a loss of headcount “ meaning people will be sacked! I expect to see this phrase now regularly used in reports of Government negotiations with the Unions.
7 Posted 22/01/2023 at 21:06:51
The players look anxious and lack confidence, Danny Murphy, failing to hide his obvious delight at our plight, had his analysis bang on. We have no goal scorer, with a world class manager DCL looked a player, his form has faded and he now looks the championship player many suspected him to be. Maupay is a squad player at best. Personally, the only way I could imagine any kind of return from the forwards would be to play very direct with two up top. Accommodating the massively ineffective Iwobi into a central role is not working and time is against us. This infuriating and dangerous obsession of playing out from the back has not helped as we do not have the personnel to do this. Is it a managerial vanity thing to persist with this patient passing approach? If the players lack the confidence to play attacking pretty football, make it simple and route one.
There is very little in the way of quality in the squad so we will only survive with a dogs of war attitude and a back to basics approach. Tenacity and spirit must be selected over big wages and egos.
I just can't see Lampard changing anything and even his substitutions rarely provide improvement. Last throw of the dice will probably be banking on a new manager bounce and a Hail Mary or two.
8 Posted 22/01/2023 at 21:09:50
You would think at this point there would be planning going on in case it didn't get better, and then we have the disaster which has been the last few weeks (barring Man City).
The fact that on Sunday night we still don't know if Lampard is going to be fired, that Danjuma is/isn't signing for us, and no clarity on anyone else signing with a week left of the transfer window (even with the financial implications you've flagged Paul). Just shows how crap we are.
How can anyone be sitting on their hands right now and claiming "its not my decision".
Shameful. I said this last season when Rafa was here and feel it even more now. If we go down then this will be the end of us as a club - we risk becoming like Coventry, or god forbid Bury.
9 Posted 22/01/2023 at 21:24:43
10 Posted 22/01/2023 at 21:24:52
Yeah it would be good to sit in his owners seat and bask in a bit of a post match victory glow - who don't like that?
If I didn't know better...and I deffo don't know much even on a good day...Moshiri has the 'Club' and the 'Stadium' as two different business entities and his main 'financial expectation eggs' are now all in 'The Stadium Basket.'
Any profits from either...his shares have probably made a profit...will be in the column marked F. Moshiri and that any profits from the stadium will also be in that column.
All and any debts however...by virtue of your standard billionaire accounty-wounty, jiggery-pokery, will land squarely in the column marked...Everton Foofball Club & Co. Ltd.
I also get the feeling that the one thing worse than Moshiri staying - might be Moshiri leaving.
The phrase 'House of Cards' comes to mind.
11 Posted 22/01/2023 at 21:26:51
12 Posted 22/01/2023 at 21:28:45
We had a little bit spent it dreadfully then slit our throats financially with the ill timed folly of BMD.
The new owners of Chelsea have already blown Moshiri/Usmanovs half a billion spend out of the water in 5 mins flat. They will keep spending till they get it right just as Abramovich did previously and Mansoor did at City.
I can't stand these posturing articles because the fact is until we're bought out by mega money it doesn't matter who is in charge we're not at the races.
13 Posted 22/01/2023 at 21:35:45
Brent, totally. There is an immediate crisis that needs fixing. Change won't do that, but change needs to happen for the long term. I really don't understand how Moshiri hasn't acted now let alone when he took ownership of the club.
To use a quote: "The price of greatness is repsonsibility".
Take responsibility Mr Moshiri. Sell or change.
Stephen, I wasn't in the gods, row 5 near the left corner flag as we looked at the pitch. I too saw a lot of players afraid of the football and unwilling to shoot.
14 Posted 22/01/2023 at 21:37:40
This is unsustainable. The club is being readied for relegation. That's a business decision that has already clearly been taken.
15 Posted 22/01/2023 at 21:38:32
What's the strategy to get those bags and bags of loot, Barry?
16 Posted 22/01/2023 at 21:48:07
Thanks for taking the time, Paul. Good article.
17 Posted 22/01/2023 at 21:48:31
I'm inclined to agree although if that's the case why did neither owner nor chairman say anything resembling a pittance of support for Frank? If they accepted relegation then why not at least put out some bluster about him turning they corner? Instead one says “it's not my decision†and the other says “none of your business.†If Frank is here tomorrow what sort of environment is that for him to work in? Basically we think you suck but couldn't fire you because of money, Thelwell, fans not commanding etc
18 Posted 22/01/2023 at 21:56:30
19 Posted 22/01/2023 at 22:06:01
20 Posted 22/01/2023 at 22:10:30
21 Posted 22/01/2023 at 22:12:13
Maybe you should read it again.
Thanks.
22 Posted 22/01/2023 at 22:16:39
You must have sawdust for brains if you don't understand the only REAL game changer that can provide transformation as per Chelsea, City and Now Newcastle, which is what we want, requires their levels of loot
You really are a dull little oik.
23 Posted 22/01/2023 at 22:19:27
Back to Paul's article, the club-fan relationship is crucial and the damage they have done to that relationship is inconceivable and bad judgement in terms of communication. When you have people like me who can very rarely say anything bad about Everton being offended by the club I love and defend to the hilt, then there is a problem. They need to address it.
24 Posted 22/01/2023 at 22:21:11
Yes the clubs in a total mess and there needs to be changes but first things first, with the squad we have we just don't have anough quality unless we can find good enough players for those positions.
I've not given up the ghost yet, theres a lot of water to go under the bridge.
Maybe we can get one of those daft results that sometimes occur against Arsenal, we managed to draw with City didn't we.
Always expect the unexpected.
25 Posted 22/01/2023 at 22:27:44
We need such clarity at the heart of the club but, sadly, there are too many vested interests.
26 Posted 22/01/2023 at 22:33:39
27 Posted 22/01/2023 at 22:49:27
28 Posted 22/01/2023 at 22:53:30
But their increadible fan base stuck with them, brought them back up.
Moshiri owns Everton FC. But what if there was an Everton 2023 FC with a game-going 35,000 fan base??
Moshiri needs to understand he doesnt own the fans. They and they alone decide to attend games or not. Think very carefully Farhad, No fans, no asset.
29 Posted 22/01/2023 at 23:00:35
30 Posted 22/01/2023 at 23:17:20
Sadly such logic will likely find no place when there's an unsuitable 120 point plan (or two) to fart about with.
Barry @ 12 - "posturing articles". Was that really necessary? This article is about the immediate need for survival, nothing to do with competing with the bigger-money clubs.
Why not slap a title on your 3rd paragraph and submit it as a article for that, could be really interesting.
31 Posted 22/01/2023 at 23:22:51
The 2 people you mentioned Abramovich and Mansoor had a big advantage over the other clubs especially Abramovich as they never had FFP to contend with, this is how Chelsea were allowed for years to buy World Class players for a price the other clubs could not match. As for Chelsea buying players this window for large fees they are signing them for 6 /7 and 8 yr contracts to beat the rules, the problem with that is you are stuck with players on large contracts for years if you cant sell them, Everton are a prime example of that.
32 Posted 22/01/2023 at 23:26:42
Two goals and a sweet assist for...
Ademola Lookman.
11 league goals this season, second in Serie A, and 3 assists.
Sometimes life just sucks.
34 Posted 22/01/2023 at 23:38:20
36 Posted 22/01/2023 at 23:53:21
We need a plan and some action immediately and it would be helpful if it was communicated properly to all concerned.
We need to get at least 27 points from the remaining games so we need a plan on how that will be achieved and who is talking the responsibility for it.
37 Posted 22/01/2023 at 23:55:17
Speaking with my brother earlier on, selling our best players in order to attempt to survive.
Pickford,Onana & Gordon sprung to mind, to fund our escape, if we don't sell any of these three & we get relegated, a fire sale in the summer will not get us anywhere near what we could possibly get in this window. As Paul touched on.
The next week of this transfer window should tell us what the immediate future holds, with a board who couldn't run a bath, god only knows where we are at this time next week!
38 Posted 22/01/2023 at 23:59:32
Do you have any idea of the current P&S situation. For example, can we net spend 20M without sanction? Do we have to sell more players to avoid sanction?
If we avoid relegation then does the P&S situation improve next season?
Also, can Moshiri create a separate company that owns the new stadium and is independent of Everton FC?
Thanks
40 Posted 22/01/2023 at 00:16:04
No doubt we are up shit creek without a paddle.
There is only one option left, sack the manager and hope we get a bounce from the next cab on the rank.
If we go down I have no confidence in our current board or manager getting us out of the mess that they have made.
Moshiri is becoming more like a bond villain every time he opens his mouth.
Kenwright in his desperation to keep hold of his train set has got into bed with a man more interested in doing what Usmanov wants rather than the club.
I am beginning to think that Kenwright and co have no power whatsoever at the club and are just the front of shop for Moshiri & Usmanov.
41 Posted 23/01/2023 at 03:59:38
Directors of Football across the world (equivalent to President of Sports Operations & General Managers in American Sports) tend to be empowered by Club Ownership to lead the search & hiring of Head Coaches.
Thelwell joined AFTER Frank was brought in, so he "inherited" Frank. Most, if not all, DoFs like to make their own Head Coaches hiring (and they would also fire Head Coaches that are not their hires on a blink of an eye if things don't go well on the Field).
It appears that Thelwell has only been empowered fully on revamping the Academy & the U-teams (and the changes so far have been encouraging to say the least), but not entirely on the First Team (on normal circumstances, someone in his position would not even need the Board's support on removing the Head Coach).
In terms of Footballing Operations, what we need is having someone in Thelwell's position fully empowered. Even if Thelwell is to explain in public the "Strategy Review", how much of his job have been compromised by Moshiri & the Board (a la Marcel Brands) would remain unclear.
So, back to square one, the problem still lies with Moshiri & the Board.
(Marcel Brands is enjoying a glass of Whiskey at home, nodding his head in agreement)
42 Posted 23/01/2023 at 08:34:55
43 Posted 23/01/2023 at 09:48:04
No wonder Kenwright took so long to find an Investor, it had to be one who gained maximum return on his shares and also one who would agree to letting him remain as Chairman. Almost an unknown in any buy-out or take-over. We all know he did not have Everton's best interest at heart but purely his own. What a Narcissist !
It will be a minor miracle if this is sorted by the Summer Break, and we are still in the Premiership, but the damage it has caused, will take years to resurrect, that is if it ever can be.
44 Posted 23/01/2023 at 11:27:50
I don't hear anyone calling out Kenwright being accused of misandry, and I doubt they would be if the CEO is a man.
45 Posted 23/01/2023 at 11:53:12
I'm assuming future budgets will have been compiled on the assumption that we remain in the Premier League and consequently those budgets will reflect strong income from TV, merchandising, attendance revenues etc. If we are relegated then of course our top line will be significantly reduced.
If we're relegated then the lower revenues will dry up capital for the completion of Bramley Moore. It will then take a future massive capital injection to get it finished. But what on earth happens in the meantime? Do we stay at the Old Lady and how on earth do we fund upgrades needed to keep it in line with future legislation?
46 Posted 23/01/2023 at 12:05:23
But what is vital now, at last, is that action happens in line with what Paul is suggesting in his article if we are to have any chance of even a half satisfactory outcome. If not our meagre resourced will go towards paying for the administrators, and nobody (except the Administrator) will be happy..
The time for words, and this applies to the fans, the Board and the Owner, are over. There has to be ACTION. The time for talking about a solution in huddles won't provide anything at all
For everyones sake Mr Moshiri GET ON WITH NOW..
47 Posted 23/01/2023 at 12:14:34
On that basis alone, financially we're screwed.
Looking at the next 2 games alone, I can't see where our goals are going to come from, so bringing in a new manager is sending out the wrong message from the start 'we don't expect you to win'... How can that be the basis of a new managerial appointment?
Whilst something has to be done, a bit like Global Warming, it's too little far too late. We're in a relegation battle with little to no funding and a squad that is thin.
If we go down we're in even deeper trouble with a heavy wage bill and players with a season left on their contract and U21's to field. We're unlikely to bounce back straight away with a deficit of income, even with the parachute payments. (£65m instead of £115m for the first season).
It's grim and the team needs to find a grit and determination they haven't displayed to date.
48 Posted 23/01/2023 at 12:22:04
49 Posted 23/01/2023 at 14:19:47
50 Posted 23/01/2023 at 14:27:44
You miss the point.
The essence of unlimited riches compared to the dross of the division is none of what you say matters clubs like chels just plough on regardless.
But I'm sure bemoaning a board bereft of such funds will make all the difference
51 Posted 23/01/2023 at 14:35:52
52 Posted 23/01/2023 at 14:39:26
What I'm thinking is who is the player going to play for? Who scouted hm and thought that's the man who will help my team? Not Lampard as he's going isn't he? Surely not Kenwright or Moshiri, if it's the dof then going on his previous signings then we really are past help.
53 Posted 23/01/2023 at 14:47:25
Your suggestion of getting an investment bank involved is one I had not considered, which is rather worrying since I have worked for and with several both here and in New York. Provided there was an ounce of sense in those commissioning the work, the bank's reward would be on the basis of speed of execution (as have the Damoclean relegation issue looming) and sale price achieved.
My experience of such banks was they would do something like:
1) Instantly replace the deadwood management as far down as necessary with zero compassion - they have brought the enterprise to the current situation
2) Put in place a replacement management which will look attractive to investors
3) Cut all unnecessary expenditure which does not show a return in a given period - given its eternal failure to delivery new players, this could probably include all academy activity
4) Shut down and sell anything which does not show a solid contribution to the bottom line - this might include Finch Farm (why can't they train at one of the universities in the City?)
5) Renegotiate contracts - get a team of hotshot contract lawyers involved to find loopholes in contracts, anyone who has spent less than 75% available in the last 2 seasons gets their payment halved; change all contracts to high-achievement/high-reward, low-achievement/low reward. Let an 18-year old who scores a hat trick out-earn the most expensive player in the team, pay Pickford a fortune for saves and good passes from defence, fine anyone who passes backwards unless the next kick sets off an attack etc.
6) Renegotiate contracts - go flat out for better payment from Sky / find some way of selling live streaming from the ground - fire everyone who currently has anything to do with media and appoint a bunch of Sun / Fox / Saachi types on low-salary - high-bonus contracts
7) Renegotiate contracts - turn Everton into a premium brand (think Barca, but with class) and have a bidding war for sponsorship rights - shirt by shirt.
A team appointed by next weekend would be on a performance based package requiring sale of the club by the end of February for a couple of billion to (in the following order) 1) The Qatari Investment authority 2) Mubadala Investment Company 3) Jeff Bezos 4) Elon Musk 5) Tom Cruise and a bunch of his mates.
Goldman Sachs is having a very hard time - time to strike a very hard bargain... They get 10% is it is all signed in time. Zero if they don't.
54 Posted 23/01/2023 at 14:56:30
55 Posted 23/01/2023 at 15:07:01
If money can bring success, then being run without any order, and also without a plan, guarantees the complete opposite, and after Lampard goes today, it's clear that if Moshiri, wants to unite the football club, and also try and change our fortunes, then the Chairman and CEO, should also be relieved of their duties.
56 Posted 23/01/2023 at 15:10:27
There is no survival strategy, and nor do I expect one to emerge.
57 Posted 23/01/2023 at 15:28:27
I await the news that the Chairman and maybe others will follow him.
58 Posted 23/01/2023 at 15:34:15
All successful businesses whatever they sell have to have a product that buyers want to purchase. In football thats a successful team, if they are also attractive to watch so much the better.
The problem in the Premiership is that for a club such as ours it has become more and more difficult and expensive to provide that team.
That also applies to the other 13 or so clubs that don't have the built in advantage that the other 6 or 7 clubs enjoy.
There's no doubt the management of the club and the people employed by them have screwed up big time and have wasted a great deal of money.
Its ironic just when we have a new stadium being built that we have this very real threat of being relegated after all these years.
I think its anybodies guess what division and what the financial status of the club will be at the beginning of next football season, we can only hope for the best.
59 Posted 23/01/2023 at 15:57:30
60 Posted 23/01/2023 at 16:12:19
Lampard has gone; it was inevitable,he was out of his depth, but I just hope that the people who appointed him and his team whoever, they may be, since Mr Moshiri suggests it isn't him, that they make a better choice next time, although I cynically believe that if Ancelotti made only a marginal improvement and he is truly a marquee manager, then there is little hope of the kind of manager Everton can attract being able to do much better than Lampard, Silva, Benitez, Martinez et alia.
61 Posted 23/01/2023 at 17:46:19
If he's as good a signing as Garner, we'll never see him play.
62 Posted 23/01/2023 at 17:48:53
If the club had any sense, they would be looking to appoint articulate and level-headed supporters like you to hear your views and act upon them.
Sadly, our club is now run my morons and it will be rinse-and-repeat.
In terms of sellable assets, I'd be looking to cash in on Gordon, Keane and maybe Mina and try and get 2 forwards in. I wonder what our scouts do? Why can't Everton unearth someone like Toney or some of the great players at Brighton? Why do we have to look for players we've all heard of and pay over the odds for them?
63 Posted 23/01/2023 at 19:37:05
There has to be a plan. Everton Football Club having no footballing foundation is crazy.
I just think to myself you cannot build anything on sand. The fans know it, ex-players know it, people in football know you have to build from a foundation. It is going to be interesting to see what the board and owner do because all the eyeballs are on them right now.
Wasn't our new stadium built on sand?
64 Posted 23/01/2023 at 22:59:50
In 1998 we could've gone down with 18 minutes to go, but fans believed we'd be ok, with 18 games to go today fans believe we won't, for me that is the biggest indicator of where we are as a club, supporters are tired, exhausted in fact, they want to see real change
65 Posted 23/01/2023 at 23:30:26
I can't see this Board going. Moshiri seems absolutely oblivious to the inadequate Management that runs Everton.As accountant the figures are there showing wholesale poor performance, though he still will not act for some unknown reason.
66 Posted 24/01/2023 at 02:18:31
As I consider you to be one of the most aware individuals regarding Everton's plight (re current situation), would it be possible for you at some point in the near future, just to spell out simply what relegation would bring upon this club please?
E.g. the fact that EPL P&S allows £105m in losses p.a. Whereas the EFL P&S rules only allow up to £35m losses p.a.
Or what happens to commercial sponsorship? Do we lose it entirely, or is it reduced by a percentage?
Is there wage limit in the EFL regards % of revenue to wages?
Do we still have the loss deductibles of the Women's team, construction costs etc?
How much money, if any, could Mr. Moshiri invest? (If willing?)
Would the current losses for T-3/-1 still be applicable, for the figures used for the EFL P&S rules?
If you could it would be sincerely, and genuinely appreciated by myself, and I'm sure plenty of others.
As an aside, would you be able to give an approximation of how much sponsorship was lost, when Everton had to sever their ties with Mr. Usmanov's companies?
Many thanks again, and many thanks for your excellent Talking the Blues Podcasts.
67 Posted 24/01/2023 at 02:26:58
Unfortunately, going off Mr.Moshiri's previous form, I see two problems that would probably be insurmountable.
i) Mr. Moshiri has never shown any previous form for looking for credible investment, or strategic re-positioning of EFC in the past. With the juncture this club is at currently, despite it being a 'realistic' avenue to investigate, I don't think Mr. Moshiri 'see's' beyond BMD.
ii) Even if Mr. Moshiri did consider your scenario, I seriously doubt he'd take that option, for fear of what wouldcould be discovered in the companies records, during any forensic investigation into what went wrong, and how to improve the club. Too many skeletons, and bodies I'd fear.
Still doesn't detract from your excellent post, and the use of the word 'Damoclean', as I currently have my own 'sword of' hanging over me.
68 Posted 24/01/2023 at 02:28:29
Unfortunately, going off Mr.Moshiri's previous form, I see two problems that would probably be insurmountable.
i) Mr. Moshiri has never shown any previous form for looking for credible investment, or strategic re-positioning of EFC in the past. With the juncture this club is at currently, despite it being a 'realistic' avenue to investigate, I don't think Mr. Moshiri 'see's' beyond BMD.
ii) Even if Mr. Moshiri did consider your scenario, I seriously doubt he'd take that option, for fear of what wouldcould be discovered in the companies records, during any forensic investigation into what went wrong, and how to improve the club. Too many skeletons, and bodies I'd fear.
Still doesn't detract from your excellent post, and the use of the word 'Damoclean', as I currently have my own 'sword of' hanging over me.
69 Posted 24/01/2023 at 02:28:29
Unfortunately, going off Mr.Moshiri's previous form, I see two problems that would probably be insurmountable.
i) Mr. Moshiri has never shown any previous form for looking for credible investment, or strategic re-positioning of EFC in the past. With the juncture this club is at currently, despite it being a 'realistic' avenue to investigate, I don't think Mr. Moshiri 'see's' beyond BMD.
ii) Even if Mr. Moshiri did consider your scenario, I seriously doubt he'd take that option, for fear of what wouldcould be discovered in the companies records, during any forensic investigation into what went wrong, and how to improve the club. Too many skeletons, and bodies I'd fear.
Still doesn't detract from your excellent post, and the use of the word 'Damoclean', as I currently have my own 'sword of' hanging over me.
70 Posted 24/01/2023 at 02:28:30
Unfortunately, going off Mr.Moshiri's previous form, I see two problems that would probably be insurmountable.
i) Mr. Moshiri has never shown any previous form for looking for credible investment, or strategic re-positioning of EFC in the past. With the juncture this club is at currently, despite it being a 'realistic' avenue to investigate, I don't think Mr. Moshiri 'see's' beyond BMD.
ii) Even if Mr. Moshiri did consider your scenario, I seriously doubt he'd take that option, for fear of what wouldcould be discovered in the companies records, during any forensic investigation into what went wrong, and how to improve the club. Too many skeletons, and bodies I'd fear.
Still doesn't detract from your excellent post, and the use of the word 'Damoclean', as I currently have my own 'sword of' hanging over me.
71 Posted 24/01/2023 at 02:54:04
Bill's going to get Big Dunc or Rooney in and all be coming up roses
72 Posted 24/01/2023 at 15:01:53
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
How to get rid of these ads and support TW
1 Posted 22/01/2023 at 20:53:12