Wouid-be Everton owner not fazed by supporters' expectations

John Textor says that he is ready to handle the pressure from Everton's fans having been baptised in the fires of footballing passion at Botafogo in Brazil.

Speaking with confidence that he will be able to complete twin deals for his 45% stake in Crystal Palace on the one hand and a buy-out of Farhad Moshiri's 94.1% shareholding in the Toffees on the other, the American entrepreneur told Sky Sports News' Alan Myers that he is adept at handling fanbases that can be as "nasty" as they can be "wonderful".

The 58-year-old Missouri native's Eagles Holdings own controlling interests in Botafogo, Lyon in France and RWD Molenbeek in Belgium and when he was asked by Myers if he was ready for the Everton brand of expectation and yearning for success, he mentioned the Brazilian club who also hadn't won anything since 1995 when he took over two years ago.

"Yes, I am. I've been punched in the face a lot. I know that business can be bloody. In football, I don't think you can face a more angry, nasty while at the same time wonderful crowd than the one I have down in Brazil. It's been difficult on my family at times.

"I don't think I could walk into more hatred and pressure than I've seen in Brazil but we've also turned that crowd around. When someone is acting crazy, the first question you have to ask is why they are acting in this way.

"A great champion in Brazil that hadn't won a title since 1995 is Botafogo. The manner in which they've lost titles between then and now has led to an expression, 'it can only happen to Botafogo'.

"We have had that sense of greatness before, of being on top and then losing that. It's like Milton's Paradise Lost... you don't understand pure evil unless you've experienced pure goodness and joy.

"It's the same with Lyon in France where they have an expectation of being champions having won seven straight titles. Their ultras are horrible but wonderful at the same time.

"You get up every day and take a step at a time. Fans look backwards at history — I can't look behind. I look forward. I'm prepared for it.

"I know if I become the owner of Everton, there will be those who think l make decisions that look idiotic, and people will say that I don't know football and I can't make my way out of a wet paper bag. I'm going to be mocked and not trusted.

"I work for the anonymous fan whose father and grandfather loved the club, the 10-year-old fan wearing his Everton colours. Admit your mistakes and work hard."

 

---

---

Reader Comments (9)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()

---

How to get rid of these ads and support TW