Landon Donovan, the iconic American footballer, enjoyed two successful loan spells at Everton during a time when the club regularly occupied the Premier League’s top half.
Now, as Everton face a prolonged battle to escape relegation woes, Donovan has offered his insight into where it all went wrong for the Merseyside club.
Donovan first arrived at Goodison Park in January 2010, joining on loan from LA Galaxy. During his initial stint, he made 13 appearances, scoring twice and providing three assists—a respectable return given his limited minutes.
Two years later, in January 2012, he returned for a second loan spell, raising his performance levels with six goals in just nine appearances across all competitions, excelling as a right winger.
These experiences left Donovan with a clear appreciation of Everton’s potential at the time, but also a strong sense of how things have since unravelled.
Speaking on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast alongside fellow former Everton star Tim Howard, Donovan pinpointed the club’s transformation from a solid mid-table side into perennial relegation strugglers.
“When I was there for the brief stints with you Tim, Everton were a top six, seven, eight, nine, ten club and everybody then all of a sudden thought, well now we can make a push and be a Champions League club,” Donovan said.
“It’s like, be careful what you wish for because a huge influx of money bought tons of players and it just all went pear-shaped, and it all went bad.
“And now every year they’re a relegation club, right, fighting for survival every year. The grass is very rarely greener, but there’s been a severe lack of leadership that hopefully will change going forward.”
Donovan’s assessment ties Everton’s decline to the club’s spending spree in pursuit of Champions League football—a gamble that backfired spectacularly, leaving them struggling both on the pitch and financially.
Everton’s current state would have been unrecognisable during Donovan’s time, when they finished eighth and seventh under David Moyes.
The slide began in earnest during the 2021-22 season, with Sean Dyche narrowly avoiding relegation last term.
Looking ahead, the arrival of new ownership under The Friedkin Group offers a potential lifeline. They are already signalling significant change, with reports suggesting Dyche could depart by the summer.
A new era beckons as Everton move into a state-of-the-art stadium, with hopes of reinvigorating the club and escaping their current malaise.
Everton fans will be hoping for a transformative summer, with a fresh managerial appointment, a new home, and targeted investment. However, Donovan’s cautionary words will resonate.
“There’s been a severe lack of leadership,” he reiterated, urging the club to avoid repeating past mistakes in the transfer market.
With financial pressures still a concern and Premier League survival far from guaranteed, Everton must tread carefully.
Donovan’s remarks underline the need for smart, measured decision-making to ensure the club’s long-term future.
As the former winger put it, the grass isn’t always greener, and Everton must focus on sustainable growth, avoiding the pitfalls that have plagued them in recent years.