‘Master’ Josh Wander allowed Genoa to ‘shine’ amid Everton 777 takeover concerns – journalist
777 Partners founder and managing director Josh Wander allowed Genoa to “shine” again before agreeing to a deal to acquire Farhad Moshiri’s stake in Everton, according to Filippo Grimaldi.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo (26 September), the Gazzetta dello Sport journalist shared his insight into 777’s ownership of the Serie A side, claiming Wander is seen as “the master” among Genoa fans after he facilitated “immense” financial strength.
Grimaldi claimed he has great trust in Wander’s and 777’s abilities to run a football club despite being unaware of the full extent of the Toffees’ situation.
Grimaldi said: “Josh is the boss. The master. Not even an echo of the problems in the other clubs has reached here. It’s a topic never addressed, not even in local newspapers.
“For the Genoa players, the 777 Partners are the ones who allowed the club to shine again, after, as relations with the previous owner [Enrico] Preziosi had deteriorated dangerously in recent years.
“I don’t know the reality of Everton but based on what happened here at Genoa, I could only express a feeling of trust towards them, whose economic strength is now immense.
“They have healed Genoa, that’s beyond doubt. As I said, it seems to me that they have abandoned the idea of doing business in Genoa, aiming in these first years to make the company safe first and foremost, and they are doing so.”
Reassuring
While many criticisms have been levelled at Wander and 777 Partners, Grimaldi’s insight into the specifics of their running of Genoa will be reassuring to Everton fans.
777 seems to be very hit or miss in regards to how the fanbases of their clubs respond to them. Standard Liege made their feelings very clear with an in-game protest, unfurling banners which read: “Multiple properties or multiple mediocrities” and “No money, no ambition”.
However, the total opposite seems to be true in Italy, where Wander is seen as the “boss” who ushered in a new era of economic stability at the club. Genoa fought hard in Serie B to earn promotion back to the top flight, with the fanbase seemingly in full support of 777.
Questions have been raised from plenty of concerned parties regarding 777’s potential takeover of the Toffees, with the Daily Mail reporting (30 August) that UK government officials in Whitehall were concerned with their finances and ability to run the club.
With points of contention continuing to be raised about 777, many Toffees fans remain unconvinced and fearful of what may come, despite being happy to see the back of Moshiri.
The future remains uncertain for Everton and many questions must be answered. However, through the swathes of bad publicity, Toffees fans can take some solace in Grimaldi’s verdict.
In other Everton news, a pundit has gushed over an Everton striker after what he did against Brentford.