Friedkin Group already winning at Everton as Ratcliffe’s Man Utd mistake avoided
The Friedkin Group officially arrived at Everton last week and the takeover has fittingly been described as a new dawn at Goodison Park.
Although the weather in L4 may have suggested otherwise as Sean Dyche’s side held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw on Sunday (22 December) amid strong winds and heavy rains, new executive chairman and senior Friedkins figure Marc Watts, wrapped in a Toffees scarf, being present in the directors’ box is a sign of things to come.
It was not an exciting encounter by any means nor a result that would tempt the new owners to hand Dyche a new contract right away, but it certainly capped off what has been a remarkable few days for this club on Merseyside.
On the pitch, there is hope as the Englishman has led his side to one win and two draws (against Arsenal and Chelsea) in their last three games, moving them one position away from the relegation zone at the weekend.
Off it, Friedkins may already be winning.
Dan Friedkin makes Everton call as he avoids Sir Jim Ratcliffe mistake at Manchester United
A day after the takeover was announced, Everton were handed the keys to their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium. The Friedkin Group have also rescheduled loans related to the project by replacing an existing one by essentially lending money to themselves [Kieran Maguire].
Meanwhile, The Athletic has detailed what the new owners have told staff at Everton following their arrival. Addressing their employees in “town hall” sessions, they presented an overview of their plans, while also opening the floor for questions.
More notably, the Friedkins emphasised that they are not interested in asset-stripping or cost-cutting – a message that would surely be a relief to everyone at Everton, having seen what has happened to (some former) Manchester United counterparts in recent months.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who became United’s biggest minority owner in February, oversaw the redundancies of 250 employees at Old Trafford in the summer [The Guardian]. He decided to cut the number from 1000 in a bid to save £10million a year.
The only problem? It upset some at Old Trafford, while causing shock and tears from others.
Not to mention Ratcliffe also replaced staff’s £100 Christmas bonus with £40 M&S vouchers in another cost-cutting move [The Telegraph].
Beyond the glitz of what goes on the football pitch that involves athletes earning millions every year, there are other individuals working at various levels behind the scenes.
For a club like Everton, who have strong working-class traditions, it would be sad to see employees being made redundant and left to hunt for new jobs.
The Friedkins making it clear that they will not undertake any cost-cutting acts right off the bat is, therefore, a welcome sight.
In fact, they seem to be on course to do the opposite, with infrastructural developments to Finch Farm and the women’s team’s base Walton Hall Park not ruled out.
In other Everton news, this player is set to quit the Toffees after the Friedkins’ arrival was confirmed.
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