Kieran Maguire reveals TFG 'horror stories' at Everton as he's left stunned by questions
Kieran Maguire can't quite believe that some Everton fans wanted Josh Wander to take over.
There is so much going on in the boardroom at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Uncertainty surrounded the Toffees until The Friedkin Group came in to take over.
The situation had previously been perilous with Farhad Moshiri so nearly dragging the Blues into oblivion.
Things so nearly took a step in an even worse direction when 777 Partners stepped in.
Everton fans continue to question whether they would have been a better bet than the Friedkins, something which baffles Maguire.
What has Kieran Maguire said in Everton rant?
With points deductions behind them and the threat of more to come, a new owner was needed on Merseyside in 2023.
Moshiri had ran up so many debts that it his time in L3 had become untenable.
It was through the help of 777 Partners that the Toffees were able to stay afloat.
Reports detail that the American private investment company loaned upwards of £200million to Everton to offset debts.
That prompted Wander to look to purchase the Toffees before a deal fell through and the Friedkins stepped in.
With the latter now looking to sell after less than two years, questions have been asked what could have happened if 777 Partners had come in.
Football finance expert Maguire has hit back at supporters for those questions on The Price of Football podcast.
He said: "This is Josh Wander, he was co-founder of the preferred bidder for Everton Football Club, 777 Partners. We have been covering the prospective sale from the new group, The Friedkin Group.
"Some Everton fans have said to me, 'Would we be better off with Josh Wander?' No. No, no, no, no and no, ok?
"You can be disappointed in what's happened with The Friedkin Group. I've heard a few horror stories, but they will leave Everton Football Club which is still very attractive and has it's debt profile in a better order than when they inherited it.
"If Josh Wander had acquired the club, it would have been used as collateral for some of his other businesses, there's a very high chance of that. What he's been accused of is fraud and he's pleaded guilty, he's going to get a long sentence."
That sums up just how ridiculous those questions are, but let's delve deeper into Wander and what could have happened.
What has happened to Josh Wander and 777 Partners?
The fact that some supporters may think Everton would have been better off with Wander in charge is crazy.
All you really need to know at a surface level is that he has now pleaded guilty to fraud charges infront of a New York judge.
He has agreed to pay back around £375m in losses after being accused of cheating lenders and investors out of nearly £420m.
The US Attorney's Office details that Wander "doctored bank account statements" in order to raise funds for 777 Sports, the company that would have purchased Everton.
The American could now face up to 40 years in prison.
Now, let's assess whether he would be a better choice than the Friedkins...
Given that TFG have come in, managed debts and helped ease the process of moving into Hill Dickinson Stadium, probably not.
They may now be looking to sell, but that surely can't be good enough reason to even think about comparing them to Wander and everything he's done.