Everton up for sale: Moyes surprised as Friedkin Group seek exit
David Moyes has admitted his surprise at Everton being put up for sale by owners The Friedkin Group, revealing he only found out on Friday morning. The American group, led by Dan Friedkin, are open to new investment or the potential sale of a controlling interest, less than a year after completing their takeover.
- Who: David Moyes, Everton manager, and owners The Friedkin Group (TFG), led by Dan Friedkin.
- What: TFG announced they are open to new investment and the "potential sale of a controlling interest".
- When: Moyes learned of the decision on Friday morning when the statement was released to supporters.
- Why: TFG took over in December 2024 ending Farhad Moshiri's reign, but are now seeking a sale or investment.
- At stake: Another period of uncertainty for Everton fans, following failed takeovers by 777 Partners and John Textor, and two PSR points deductions.
What was said
"Yeah I was surprised, they'd only came in a year and a half ago."
"Most owners come in for a lot longer than that. We were all expecting them to be here for 20 to 30 years, however long it may be. But maybe the way things worked out over the transfer window, I probably had seen through it a little bit before that. It's probably all there for Evertonians to see now."
"I truly believed that with new ownership who were in for it completely with us all, my ambition coming back was to get Everton back to the levels they'd been at in the past - challenging for Europe more often, being around it. And probably you could tell with how I've been a lot over the summer that that's the way it's been. It's been a difficult summer for us."
"I only found out this morning myself along with everybody else. I'm a little bit surprised, but maybe not really that surprised."
"No. Because I love this club so much and they could have sold me anything and I'd have still taken it. But it's for Evertonians I feel sorry for the most. They've been through so many difficult periods, they really have. The last thing they wanted to hear was this."
"Last year we went through a season where there wasn't much drama. There wasn't any relegation problems, we had a bit of drama of money that we had to pay to Burnley. Apart from that, in the main we've done pretty well over the year and were just starting to get back at the right footing - and challenging at the right end of the table rather than the wrong end."
"I'm more disappointed for Evertonians who have to go through another period of: 'who's going to be the new owner?'"
"I've not really thought about it yet from that point of view. The players have been great so far and we'll keep them focused on what we can do which is win the games."
"I always think that Evertonians galvanise even more so when it comes to a situation where the team needs help, the manager needs help - we'll stick together. We'll certainly be in that camp."
"I'm just reading the things that I've seen this morning. They're looking forward to getting the right people in to bring the club further forward. It's a great club if anybody is out there who wants to buy it. If they want to speak to me, I'll be the first person to tell them that it's certainly worth buying."
Moyes's comments reveal a manager who feels let down not for himself, but for the Everton supporters who have endured years of instability. His admission that he saw signs during the transfer window suggests a breakdown in communication between the board and the manager, and his willingness to speak to potential buyers indicates he still believes in the club's potential.
The numbers
- TFG completed their full takeover in December 2024.
- Alan Myers reports TFG are seeking between £800m and £1bn to sell the club.
- TFG also own Roma and are building a new stadium in Rome costing £1bn.
- Everton faced two rounds of points deductions for breaching Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules.
- Harrison Armstrong was nearly sold to Nottingham Forest before fan pressure forced a rethink.
Why is the club up for sale so quickly?
According to Alan Myers on Sky Sports News, the news is not a major surprise. TFG had already signalled they were looking for investors, but the feeling was that a sale was actually desired. Myers suggests the cost of returning Everton to the top table of English football is too great for TFG, especially given their commitments at Roma, where a new £1bn stadium is under construction.
The transfer window offered further evidence. Myers describes it as "a bit of a disaster", with the squad lacking depth. The attempt to sell Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest said much about the ownership's approach, and only fan pressure forced a reconsideration. TFG bought the club for less than its value, and a sale at £800m to £1bn would yield a tidy profit.
What it means for Everton
David Moyes returned to Everton in early 2025 with the aim of restoring stability. Last season was relatively calm, with no relegation battle, aside from a payment to Burnley. Now he faces another period of uncertainty, with new owners potentially arriving and his own future in doubt. Moyes insists the players remain focused and that the fans will galvanise, but the club's short-term future is clouded.
Everton have been here before. Farhad Moshiri's attempts to sell to 777 Partners and John Textor both collapsed, and TFG's initial talks also failed before they finally completed in December 2024. The fans, who have seen points deductions and near-relegation, must now prepare for another round of "who's next?"
Talking points
- Should Everton supporters trust TFG to find the right buyer, or does this smack of a quick profit flip less than a year after taking over?
- Moyes says he loves the club, but his future is unclear; would a new owner keep him or bring in their own man?
- TFG's statement promised commitment on the pitch, yet the summer window was poor and they tried to sell Harrison Armstrong – does that undermine their words?
- With Roma requiring a £1bn stadium, are Everton simply a financial pawn in TFG's wider portfolio?
What happens next
The Friedkin Group will not comment further while the process is under way. They will entertain interest only from parties they believe are the right stewards. Everton's next fixture is not specified in the source, but the club must continue on the pitch under Moyes while the search for new owners unfolds. The stakes are clear: another failed takeover could deepen the uncertainty, while a swift sale to credible owners could finally bring the stability Everton crave.
Frequently asked questions
Why are Everton up for sale?
The Friedkin Group announced they are open to new investment, including the potential sale of a controlling interest, because they believe the cost of returning Everton to the top is too high, especially with their commitments at Roma.
How much do TFG want for Everton?
According to Alan Myers, The Friedkin Group are looking for between £800m and £1bn to sell the club.
What did David Moyes say about the sale?
Moyes said he was surprised, having only found out on Friday morning, and expressed sympathy for Everton fans who face another period of uncertainty over who the new owner will be.
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