Neil Moxley blasts ‘shambolic’ Farhad Moshiri but names Everton in ‘hot this week’ column
Farhad Moshiri’s running of Everton has been “shambolic” and news of a majority takeover can only be a “positive” according to Neil Moxley.
Writing in the Sunday People (17 September, pg 59), Moxley admitted he is “not a fan” of American involvement in English football, but suggested 777 Partners’ takeover will be an improvement over Moshiri’s poor tenure.
Everton confirmed that Moshiri had agreed to a deal with 777 to sell his 94.1% stake in the club, subject to approval from regulators.
Moxley said: “Not a fan of North American involvement in our game. But, given Farhad Moshiri’s shambolic handling of events, it’s hard to see anything other than this being a positive.”
Only way is up?
News of this takeover has split opinions. Many Evertonians just want Moshiri out of the club and, for now, have pushed concerns about 777 to the side.
Moshiri has spent a lot of money in Merseyside and got very, very little reward for it and is now jumping ship with the hope that 777’s takeover is approved by the Premier League, the Football Association, and the Financial Conduct Authority.
777 are not without their controversies. The Daily Mail reported (30 August) that the UK government were concerned about managing partner Josh Wander’s ability to pass the owners’ and directors’ test.
They own stakes in a vast array of clubs, including Genoa, Sevilla and Standard Liege, with the latter recently showing their anger at the ownership group through an in-game protest from the stands regarding a lack of investment.
Question marks remain, but Moxley, putting his dislike for “North American involvement” aside, has backed this takeover to usher in a new era at Goodison Park.
While Moshiri may have been “shambolic”, things could certainly get worse at the club. The new season is still young, but relegation has again emerged as a real possibility unless Sean Dyche can change the fortunes of the club. 777 will hope to buy a Premier League club, not a Championship club.
Something must change at the club and Toffees fans will pray the takeover is a “positive”.
In other Everton news, a journalist has reveled what sources close to 777 said about their ability to finance the takeover.