By Dan Carter

19th Sep, 2023 | 3:10pm

Michael Ball slams Farhad Moshiri for 'bad decision after bad decision' in 777 Partners takeover verdict

Michael Ball has slammed Farhad Moshiri for his time in charge of Everton and believes that potential new owners 777 Partners offer hope.

The Toffees look set to be taken over by the American investment firm after a deal was agreed in principle for them to acquire Moshiri’s 94.1% stake in the Goodison Park side, hopefully ending a period of unrest and financial uncertainty under the Everton owner.

But given the timing of the sale and the seemingly damning evidence of 777 Partners’ work at football clubs around the world, former Toffees defender Ball has been critical of the decision-making of Moshiri, particularly his financial management.

Writing for the Liverpool Echo on Tuesday (19 September) he said: “He’s put his money where his mouth is, but while he’s been the head of our football club, it has gone backwards. No man wants to buy a business or a football club and run it into the ground intently.

“But Moshiri has done it time and time again, year after year, making bad decision after bad decision, appointing managers and directors of football that didn’t suit. He’s just thrown money at it, thinking money is the answer.

“Only time will tell regarding 777 Partners. The fans of other clubs they invest in aren’t having a good time with them and that doesn’t fill me with confidence. What does give me hope if it does go through is that Moshiri won’t be making any decisions.”

Hope

Whoever took over the ownership at Goodison Park was always going to have the advantage that supporters would be somewhat excited because it would mean that anyone other than Moshiri was in charge of the Toffees and that would be a blessing.

As Ball mentioned some of the decisions made by the Everton owner have been completely ridiculous, the most obvious one being the purchase of Salomon Rondon as a present to Rafa Benitez, a managerial appointment that in itself was questionable.

However, Everton fans have to be careful what they wish for. It is clear the club is going backwards under the current ownership, but there is little to suggest that 777 Partners will steer the Toffees into a better place, judging by their track record elsewhere.

Moshiri may not have been particularly sensible in his spending, but he’s tended to want what was best for the football club, even if he’s gone about it the completely wrong way. It’s hard to say the same about 777 given what has been seen so far.

Fans can only hope Ball is right, but the Everton faithful can’t let their hatred of Moshiri cloud their judgment on their potential new owners.

In other Everton news, Mikel Arteta has discovered a new weakness for the Toffees to have to solve in their defence