Everton’s prospective new owners, The Friedkin Group (TFG), are already under scrutiny in Italy as their stewardship of AS Roma faces backlash from fans.
TFG, led by Dan Friedkin, is currently in the process of purchasing a 94.1% stake in Everton from majority owner Farhad Moshiri, with the deal expected to be finalised by the end of the year.
If approved, Everton would become the second high-profile European club under the ownership of TFG, who took control of Roma in August 2020.
Their tenure in the Italian capital initially started brightly. Roma claimed the UEFA Conference League title in their first season under Friedkin’s ownership and followed it up by reaching the Europa League semi-finals last season. However, recent events have cast doubt over the group’s management.
De Rossi’s Controversial Sacking Sparks Fan Protests:
TFG’s decision to sack club icon Daniele de Rossi, just four games into the new campaign, has drawn heavy criticism. De Rossi, widely regarded as the second-greatest player in Roma’s history after Francesco Totti, had signed a three-year contract in the summer.
Yet, he was replaced by Ivan Juric on a temporary basis, a move that has sparked widespread outrage among supporters.
The backlash from Roma fans was evident during their recent 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan. Curva Sud, the club’s most prominent supporter group, displayed protest banners both before and during the match. In a symbolic gesture of discontent, many fans refused to enter the stadium until 15 minutes into the game.
Reports from Italian news agency Adnkronos (via Planet Roma) suggest that TFG is now considering reinstating De Rossi as manager. Friedkin is reportedly exploring the idea of bringing him back alongside a new CEO following the resignation of Lina Souloukou, who stepped down shortly after De Rossi’s dismissal.
The potential return of De Rossi is seen as an attempt by TFG to repair their relationship with fans. According to the report, it would represent a “relaunch of Friedkin’s commitment and a substantial admission of error” in how the situation was handled.
Support for Juric Amid Uncertainty:
Despite the turmoil, Roma’s sporting director, Florent Ghisolfi, has expressed confidence in Juric. Speaking to DAZN (via Football Italia), Ghisolfi emphasised the importance of patience with the new manager, who has won two of his first six matches.
“Juric arrived in a very difficult context, but he must be given time to do his work. The next seven games before the break will be important to understand how things are going,” Ghisolfi explained.
“It is true that we invested heavily in the transfer market, but we also reduced the wage bill and lowered the average age of the squad. This is a process we have only just begun. In comparison, Inter are far ahead in their project, but even for them, it took time to see results.”
He also stressed the importance of fan support in helping the club move forward. “Playing in a warm atmosphere with our fans is special for us. We want to earn back their affection. We must work hard, sacrifice ourselves on the pitch, defend our values, and give our best.”
Uncertainty Clouds Friedkin’s Future at Roma:
While TFG pushes ahead with their plans to acquire Everton, their troubles at Roma raise questions about their ability to juggle ownership of two major European clubs.
If the situation in Rome worsens, it could cast a shadow over their potential new venture on Merseyside. For now, both clubs await clarity on their future under the Friedkin Group’s stewardship.