Everton staff blindsided by TFG as expected takeover 'statement' made

The Friedkin Group's decision to put Everton up for sale emerged on Friday.

The American business group bought the Blues in December 2024, purchasing a 99.5 per cent stake from Farhad Moshiri.

That deal was believed to be worth in excess of £400million, but now they will be looking to recoup that sum at the very least

Their plans to garner strategic investment have shifted, and they would now consider a full sale, if the right owner can be found.

Supporters will likely be confused about the sale, but it appears that those inside the club were just as surprised.

It appears that the staff were just as blindsided as the fans, after a new update on the matter.

Did Everton staff know the Friedkin Group's intentions?

The decision to potentially sanction a full sale has come out of the blue.

BBC Radio Merseyside journalist Giulia Bould revealed on Friday morning that staff had no inkling that it would happen.

In post on X, she said: "I understand those inside Everton didn't expect this statement and didn't know TFG's plans."

It may well be no surprise to Toffees supporters that no one inside the club knew it was happening, given previous developments with the Friedkins.

What David Moyes' relationship with TFG tells us about the ownership

David Moyes revealed that he had never spoken to or even met Dan Friedkin, who is the chief of the group, in September.

Asked whether he had communicated with the 61-year-old after he was left with just Thierno Barry for his striking options, the Scotsman simply said "No".

The Blues boss confirmed that his primary contact was Angus Kinnear, but he also communicated with Friedkin's son-in-law Rishi Majithia.

He said: "My real contact is Angus. Angus is the one who I would go to see; Rishi is the next one and then the head of the Friedkin family in America.

"I don't really get any direct conversations with them, but I do through Rishi - he is the one I would speak to."

Given the lack of communication from the very top of the ownership, it is not exactly a shock that staff in L3 had no clue about the intentions to sell their full share.

It seems like that is common for the group as Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini has also lamented a lack of connection.

It was a huge concern that neither manager of their two premier clubs had a relationship with the chief of the organisation.

Now, with the Blues on the market, the chances of more communication are very unlikely for Moyes.

He will likely go the full tenure without speaking to the Texas-based businessman and be just as in the dark as the rest of the staff.