Friedkin takeover offers Everton an escape route from the darkening gloom

Yesterday at 08:39 AM

The Toffees have the chance to put a turbulent chapter of the club's history behind them

After years of turbulence, trauma and uncertainty, there may just be some shafts of light at the end of a deep, dark tunnel for Everton.

The proposed takeover by The Friedkin Group, which is expected to be rubber-stamped with a matter of weeks, will finally bring the chaotic tenure of Farhad Moshiri to an end.

Moshiri's ambition and financial generosity cannot be questioned and the magnificent new stadium rising on the docks will be his lasting legacy. But the Moshiri era will also be remembered for reckless spending, chaotic decision-making, two separate points deductions and a brush with financial oblivion.

Those financial issues have led to some serious belt tightening, but despite being the only Premier League club to have a positive net spend over the last five years the Toffees have twice breached Profit and Sustainability rules, while the continued weakening of the squad has naturally led to a deterioration in results on the pitch and three successive relegation battles.

Even the takeover process has been arduous, with five parties expressing an interest over the last two years. That includes an extended dalliance with 777 Partners, who are currently being sued by multiple companies in the US for breaching contracts and failing to pay debts.

Therefore a welcome word from the Friedkin's statement confirming the takeover agreement was "stability". A word not associated with Everton for a long time.

There is no guarantee of success of course. Their ownership of Roma has hit a rocky patch, with the fans protesting at the dismissal of club legend Daniele de Rossi. But they are group with access to immense wealth and have already put the money where their mouth is. The £200m they leant the club during initial talks this summer is likely to be turned into equity, with further cash being pledged to complete the internal fitout of Bramley Moore Dock. Reports also say they have agreed to pay off most if not all of the loan from Rights and Media Funding and reached a deal with insurance firm A-cap, 777's principal backer.

Freed from that financial straightjacket Everton have the real chance of a fresh start heading to Bramley-Moore next summer. It is also the chance to restore a bit of pride. The club, an institution in English football, has been reduced to a laughing stock in recent seasons. Evertonians are sick of being embarrassed and let down.

No-one is expecting or wants a return to the lavish spending of the early Moshiri years. But a sustainable and measured approach could put the Toffees on the path to a brighter future.

The future of manager Sean Dyche will inevitably come under the microscope given the propensity for new owners to bring in their own man. But the takeover will not be formally ratified until later this year so his job is not likely to be any immediate danger.

Dyche's contract, along with that of Kevin Thelwell, expires at the end of the season, while just 12 first-team players have deals that stretch beyond the summer of 2025. That provides the new regime with the chance for a real reset and hopefully put the drama of the last few years behind them.

Football without hope is nothing. And Evertonians finally have some to cling to once again.