Everton Set for Significant Changes Under Friedkin Group
Everton Football Club is on the cusp of a transformative phase, with a multitude of crucial appointments anticipated before the current season concludes. The Friedkin Group (TFG) is keen on implementing significant changes in recruitment and granting more authority to manager David Moyes as they embark on a new era for the club. According to The i Paper, a series of announcements from TFG are expected shortly as they finalize a new executive structure aimed at achieving their ambitious goal of competing for European qualification as soon as next season.
The initial signs of what insiders believe will be a “transformational” summer have already begun to surface, most notably with director of football Kevin Thelwell poised to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season. Despite continuing to operate under a “business as usual” mandate, Thelwell will not be at the forefront during one of the most pivotal close seasons in the club’s history. He is regarded highly at Everton for navigating the club through one of its most turbulent periods, yet there is a pronounced desire to head in a new direction, especially with Moyes expected to have greater influence over player signings compared to his predecessor, Sean Dyche.
As the club prepares for a significant player turnover, with 13 senior players either out of contract or returning to parent clubs, Everton stands to benefit from a reduced wage bill and an improved standing regarding the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). This financial flexibility should enable the club to invest “significant” transfer fees in order to rejuvenate their squad.
The recruitment strategy is anticipated to undergo substantial changes, evidenced by Everton’s decision during the January transfer window to hold off on pursuing several targets identified by Thelwell. Instead, they opted to conserve their resources as Moyes evaluated his options. With Everton’s Premier League status looking increasingly secure, TFG can now advance to the next stage of their project following a period of stabilization after the takeover in December. There was an urgent need to “stabilize the ship” post-buyout, with all efforts focused on maintaining Everton’s position in the top flight. However, following an impressive run of results under Moyes, there is newfound optimism, and thoughts can now shift toward future plans.
In a significant development, Everton is reportedly growing more confident in appointing Angus Kinnear from Leeds United as their new chief executive. This follows an extensive selection process led by the executive recruitment firm Nolan Partners. Although Kinnear is likely to remain at Elland Road until the end of the current season, an agreement between Leeds and Everton for this highly respected executive is expected to be reached soon.
The chief executive position will play a pivotal role in ushering the club into a new era, particularly as they prepare for the move to Bramley-Moore Dock. TFG aims to leverage this stadium transition to significantly enhance commercial revenue while equipping Moyes with a much-improved squad for the upcoming season, thereby consolidating the progress made on the training ground.
Currently, Everton has been without a permanent CEO since Denise Barrett-Baxendale’s departure in 2023, and TFG recognized during their due diligence that the club lacked adequate “C-suite” experience. This will soon change, as the executive team is poised for expansion, and further departures among senior staff may also be on the horizon. The promise of investment both on and off the field marks a stark contrast to the previous years when Everton’s focus was primarily on survival. Insiders have sensed that TFG is beginning to “flex their muscles,” and there is a palpable feeling of optimism at Everton, suggesting that after a challenging period, renewed ambition is taking root within the club.
“I think the players have responded brilliantly well, the crowd have responded brilliantly well,” Moyes remarked. “And I can tell everybody else is just beginning to get a feeling back that we could get back to being a really big club again and trying to be successful.” This statement encapsulates the upbeat sentiment surrounding Moyes, who friends say has returned to Everton invigorated by the prospect of reclaiming the club’s former glories.