Neville Southall hits out at 'corporate' TFG after Everton sale news

Everton legend Neville Southall is not happy with the Friedkin Group.

The American business group announced that they are considering a full sale of the Toffees on Friday.

The news is said to have surprised staff at the club, who had no idea that was on the cards.

It less than two years since the Texas-based organisation bought the Hill Dickinson Stadium club in a £400million deal.

There were reports that they were looking at a strategic investment to help David Moyes' side compete.

However, it is now a full-blown sale, and Southall has shared his opinion on the developments.

What did Neville Southall say about Everton sale news?

Southall holds the record for the most Everton appearances, so he is more than qualified to speak on matters involving the Blues.

The Welshman played 721 times for the People's club and he has bemoaned the commercial nature of the Friedkins.

Taking to his personal X account on Friday after the news emerged, he said: "Maybe Everton will go back to being the People’s club, not the corporate club now."

That will mirror the view of many Evertonians, as the ownership have made a few blunders since they took over in December 2024.

What mistakes did the Friedkin Group make at Everton?

The biggest blunder is from the summer transfer window that has just passed, when they were close to selling local lad Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest for £40m

It was widely seen as a method to secure pure profit on the books, which only highlights the corporate thinking that Southall complained about.

Another big error was raising season ticket prices for the 2026-27 campaign, with the average supporter hit by a £45 increase.

The United Kingdom was already experiencing price hikes in most other aspects of life, so the move was ill-fated.

Their caution in bringing in players can also be cited as the commercial mindset that they have, as the Blues made a £25m profit in the most recent transfer window.

The squad was left short, with just 18 senior players, with the sales of Iliman Ndiaye and Beto while Folarin Balogun did not come through the Finch Farm doors.

Finally, the stadium seems to be viewed as a financial opportunity, rather than a footballing fortress and that has rubbed some supporters up the wrong way.