TFG takeover given FCA and FA approval

The FCA and FA have passed TFG for the takeover.

Just the Premier League now.

Should just have been a box-ticking exercise but good news to get phase out of the way. Hopefully the Premier League test is signed off by the end of the month and the takeover completed in December.

Gives the new owner time before January to bring in a new manager and hopefully a couple of players in January.

Xmas may just come early, gents (and ladies).

Denis, whether or not they keep Dyche, PSR is still in place this season so there will not be much cash to spend on new players in January.

John, certainly not expecting any miracles in January but I'd hope there's enough cash down the back of the new sofa to at least get someone for relatively little money or on a ‘free'. We may also sell. Calvert-Lewin will walk for free in June.

I think we've maxed out our 4 allowed loans for the season but, if Broja's still not fit by January, I'd think about sending him back as he's using up a loan spot. He was supposed to be playing by October so hopefully after the break he can finally get on the pitch.

Depends on the new manager, obviously assuming there will be one. If he's been chosen already, I'd assume he's analysing the squad to see what changes need making in January. I'd be surprised if nothing happens in Januaary, if the ownership is changed by then.

Denis and John... whosoever we might bring in, is it asking too much that they have a pair of boots and are fit and ready to kick a ball about?

Just get on with it.

Alan, I'd imagine even a 48-year-old Van Nistelrooy could still do a better job than our forwards!

I don't understand why it takes so long to get this deal done.

Surely it's only a case of Friedkin showing the Premier League his bank account. $6 Billion, that will do nicely.
.

If Richard Masters has anything to do with this, it won't be approved until 2029 at the earliest, or until we are in the Northern Conference League.

How many weeks has it been so far?

Seems to have taken forever!

Anthony @10,

I think it was 23 September when the deal was agreed between Moshiri and TFG, so that's just over seven weeks ago. Although Bobble has said that FA and FCA approval has been passed, there's been no official confirmation as of yet.

I would imagine that the whole deal will be ratified by mid-late December; if it takes any longer, that might mean there are some issues that need addressing.

The Bobble normally has it right, let's hope so, because Everton FC's own approach to fan engagement has been pathetic in recent years.

Irrespective of whether the takeover is “done and dusted” by the January window, the club faces some challenges early in 2025:

Will we be hovering in the relegation zone after a poor run of results in December?

Will O'Brien and Patterson be given their chances at first team level?

(If Dyche won't play either, must they therefore be sold or loaned out?)

Can the club afford to keep Jarrad Branthwaite, in view of the reported interest of clubs at home, and abroad?

Will Calvert-Lewin move for a reduced fee, possibly to Newcastle?

Will Dele Alli finally be fit enough to challenge for a new contract and a place in the squad? (Surely his path of recovery cannot continue indefinitely?)

Finally, will the takeover be completed, and what will be TFG's stance on our manager, coaches, and the Director of Football?

The Premier League will want to push this through.

We are not the only ones who want to see the back of Moshiri.

The cynic in me thinks the Premier League will drag out this approval until the day after the transfer window closes so we can't sign anyone new this season.

Niall @12,

That's what we are all wondering. Only the Friedkins know, if in fact they have decided yet, the answer to those questions. Let's hope they have come to some conclusions by then. We, mere mortals, can only speculate.

What is more important is that it gets done as they hope by the end of the year. Fingers crossed then everyone.

Significant steps to stability for Everton FC. Proper full-time leadership and business structure and a new era will start. Big positives to take and painful lessons will have to be learned. Time and patience are needed.

On the park, it's a massive month ahead. I'm sure Sean Dyche knows the way the water is flowing right now. It's a results game and starting with a must-win vs Brentford.

Peter (#15), Indeed:

I think the likelihood of these questions being addressed will mostly be resolved by the timeline of the takeover, and how soon the new owners get their appointees in post and with a firm business plan?

Whilst Everton's on-field results in the next 6 weeks or so will have a bearing, in my view, TFG will proceed as they think suits their vision for the club.

Personally, I would like us to retain Sean Dyche, but his prospects will almost certainly rest upon whether he can double our current points total by the turn of the year.

I think he will hold on to his job if he achieves this, and maybe he might have the chance of moderate transfer dealings in the January window. I think he would deserve a shot with a refreshed playing squad.

Paul @16

Stability, proper full-time leadership and business structure, new era?

You mean like at Roma?

Niall @17.

Dyche, double our points total by the turn of the year? Have you looked at our fixtures from now until 31 December? Do you think the Dycheosaur with his tactical skills can do that?

Likelihood is, we are in the Bottom three by year's end, and with the twats at the Premier League not being our best friends, taking time to aprove the buyout, could make our takeover just a little bit more undesirable.

We are in the perfect storm again. Dyche won't get sacked because we don't have anyone to do that. He should have had the plug pulled on him by now, but circumstances mean he's still here.

Go and have a bet on us doubling our points total by year's end, I would love to see the odds on that.

Assuming that everything is ratified by Christmas, I expect to see some changes in the New Year.

I can't see Dyche staying on, and some player movements seem likely. Sadly I can see Jarrard being sold and Calvert-Lewin may be touted too, the funds raised being used to bring more balance into the squad under a new manager.

Maybe a temporary appointment with a clear directive to salvage the season and Premier League status.

Andrew #21”,

Maybe a temporary appointment with a clear directive to salvage the season and Premier League status.”

I thought we already had somebody who has demonstrated they can do that. With a squad they know well and are used to working with.

Excuse me for asking. The Bobble, was reported on here on 12 November, to have said that the FCA and the FA had approved or authorised the TFG applications. Fair enough.

Usually he is to be trusted and what he says comes to pass. I have looked at both the FA and the FCA websites today but can find no mention of such announcements on either. What has gone wrong? Has he got it wrong for once or what?

We, on here, seem to have taken what has been reported as gospel and discussed the next steps that should or will be taken so it has been generally been believed to be true. I want to believe it too.

Therefore my question is, can anyone provide a link to this approval that I can follow and satisfy myself that it has happened please? I will believe it then.

Peter,

I understand your frustration. The uncertain veracity of this story is why it appears in our Rumour Mill.

The Echo journos did what they could to verify it and found nothing, the club reverting to their 'no comment' silence until something is officially announced.

Michael

I understand the Club and TFG line. That is their choice which I respect too.

But, seeing as you have responded, don't you think, in the circumstances and the importance to the fans of this matter, that you maybe should do some checking, and if necessary, attach a further 'health warning' to the rumour report you carried?

After all Twitter/X is not my idea of the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. They will carry anything that a Member writes. The fact is that no-one else has carried this story so presumably the usual suspects, other than The Echo, were not convinced either.

I am not on X or else I would have asked the question directly.

Peter #26,

If it's in the "Rumour Mill" there's a reason… and "Mill" isn't one of them.

Stu #18,

Yeah, I know, you think they're "dabblers" -- but Roma have in fact enjoyed financial stability and proper business structure since the Friedkins bought out the previous owner, who was spiraling into bankruptcy. They've had recent churn in the manager's office, but the club itself is on very solid ground.

You will dine very well in coming years on your own words.

Fair comment, Brent 22, but TFG are showing a very low tolerance for poor results at Roma...

Why would they take a different approach here?

There's a couple of problems you've hinted at there, Peter.

Holding anyone to account for what they post on Elon Musk's Twitter platform. Good luck with that.

Then there's seeking confirmation from powers that be. As I said, the 'professionals' at the Echo clearly tried and failed. Here's the link:

A report has claimed that the Friedkin Group has now passed the FCA and FA approval tests

I tried to confirm the FCA approval of 777 Partners that strangely dropped late on a Friday just before Christmas last year and was fobbed off by an AI-generated email that said nothing.

The way I look at it is, the only approval that really matters is the Premier League's. They will only announce it when the process is complete. That may come in December, or it may not. I can wait if you can.

Mike @28,

The Friedkins certainly have invested plenty into Roma, but that doesn't transform them into experts in the business of football.

They are what they are, a big business conglomerate and their prime interest is their bottom line. Evidence? 3 managers in a few months, fans up in arms, present league position in Serie A.

The supporters don't seem to be to enjoying their financial security and proper business structure much to me. I just hope they don't bring this level of football expertise to Everton

Looks like I'm going to be on a pretty meagre diet for the next few years! Sounds like you have some interest in TFG. Hey ho, we're all entitled to our opinions.

John @3, with the PSR still in place, and finances needed to be submitted by end of June, the additional season ticket sales and a lot more top priced executive seats at the new stadium, along with naming rights and extra sponsorship, should give us a lot more leeway this season.

The stadium should be paid off as well, or at least have less interest to pay on it.

Not too sure how the financial side of it is run, will leave that to the Esk, but if he is reading this, maybe he can give us an an idea how we fare up to the end of June of any possible spendage we may have to play with, especially with quite a few more contracts and wages coming off the bill by the end of June.

Lyon, seven-time champions, will lose their top-flight status at the end of the season unless they improve their situation in the eyes of French football's financial watchdog.

It would mark another hammerblow for the game in France after Bordeaux were demoted to the fourth tier due to bankruptcy this summer.

Lyon recently announced debts of £422M and have now been banned from signing players amid a looming possible relegation, according to L'Equipe and Get French Football News.

Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor majority owns Lyon through Eagle Football Holdings. He insisted a meeting with France's National Directorate of Control and Management 'went well', but the watchdog seems to have disagreed.

French journalist Romain Molina has also claimed that 'all Lyon players are on sale' in a bid to reduce the club's debts. They have also lost control of their payroll.

I saw that about Lyon, Gerry. I don't confess to know the ins and outs, but once again, it's the supporters who suffer due to mismanagement. It happened to Glasgow Rangers, but they came back from the ashes.

The link to Textor might mean we've got out of jail again after 777 Partners.

I don't know why, but I feel confident about The Friedkin Group. I think change is on its way. Some may be uncomfortable, but it is needed for us to move forward. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen.

You can't change the past, but you can influence the future.

Textor was always more a publicist than a serious option in Everton's case. Everton were fortunate that The Friedkin Group were always further forward in negotiations even though they walked away.

Moshiri would have sold Everton for two pigs in the end. Only the Premier League and a media-generating vocal fan group prevented him from selling to the wrong parties. When it now appears so many sought compensation, it shows the balancing act that the Premier League has to maintain between keeping clubs on board and keeping clubs viable and in the Premier League. All have a say in the Premier League. Whilst they may cite competitive advantage, they are not beyond using the PSR process to gain financial or even competitive advantage.

This is where the self-regulating process and proper independent regulator is needed. Preferability Government appointed, rather than a dubious Independent Commission.

The long drawn out PSR process may have an element of sorting out things in the long grass about it as the Premier League tries to maintain sanity in balancing the conflicting demands of Premier League clubs.

The solution to Everton's problems is going to take quite a while.

Question is – once all is settled! – will Friedkin look to Van Nistelrooy as manager?

Discuss.

I suspect The Friedkin Group were playing hardball, Jerome.

Tony @36 who knows? I think they'll have their own ideas. Us mortals will just have to see what gets served.

Tony 36 - any manager is a risk but with RVN why not? He's obviously after the Man Utd job in the future but would be looking to prove himself beforehand. By all accounts, he wants a Premier League job and Everton I think (with new owners) would fit the bill. Also, no compensation to pay.

We'd benefit from his Man Utd and Dutch contacts to hopefully bring in some decent players (as opposed to Man Utd cast-offs).

I'd certainly be happy with him – why not, given his pedigree? His style of play would certainly be more attacking and his name might persuade the likes of Branthwaite to stick around another year.

Here's hoping something happens by the end of November.

Stu, we know that the last few months have not been great for Roma…

But they have reached 2 European finals since TFG took over.