The Friedkin Group is looking for a way out. Less than two years after taking the reins at Everton, the American ownership group has announced it is exploring the sale of its controlling stake in the Premier League club.
Led by Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin, the group completed a takeover worth more than £400 million in 2024. They arrived at a time when the club was drowning in debt and facing severe uncertainty. Now, TFG says the foundation is stable enough to look toward the future.
A Sudden Search for New Investment
In a statement, the group explained that their initial goals have been met. They focused on financial stability, supporting the squad, and delivering the club's highly anticipated new stadium. With those pieces in place, TFG believes the time is right to find the next custodian for the club.
However, they made it clear they will not sell to just anyone. The current owners insisted they will only negotiate with parties who have the capability and vision to guide the club in the right direction.
Growing Frustrations Behind the Scenes
Despite Everton sitting seventh in the Premier League, the atmosphere around the club has grown increasingly tense. Fans have openly criticized what they see as a disconnected leadership style. Dan Friedkin leaves the day-to-day operations to his son-in-law Rishi Majithia and CEO Angus Kinnear.
The distance between the owner and the team became clear in September, when manager David Moyes admitted he had never spoken to Friedkin since returning to the club in January 2025. Friedkin has not attended a match since Moyes took charge 21 months ago.
Tensions boiled over during the summer transfer window. Supporters reacted with fury when the club accepted a £40 million bid from Nottingham Forest for teenage midfielder Harrison Armstrong. While the club eventually pulled out of that deal, other moves went through. Star attacker Iliman Ndiaye joined Manchester City in a £65 million deal, and striker Beto was sold to Fiorentina. The departures left Moyes with Thierno Barry as his only senior striker, and just 18 senior outfield players in total.
A Mixed Legacy
For many fans, TFG’s tenure will be remembered as financially stable but ambitious only to a point. It stood in sharp contrast to the group's active management of AS Roma, who regularly enjoy the financial boost of Champions League football.
Still, former Everton goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis noted that the group is leaving the club in a far healthier state than they found it. She called the news a shock but acknowledged that the new stadium and stabilized accounts make the club an incredibly attractive asset for the next owner.