Dan Friedkin has been handed exclusive rights to complete an Everton takeover. Dan Friedkin is actively completing an Everton takeover. Last week, the American billionaire’s Friedkin Group secured exclusive rights to explore an acquisition of majority owner Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1% holding. Due diligence is now conducted. Friedkin has owned AS Roma for four years, and fans are thrilled by what they have witnessed. The Texan family has greatly improved the financial position in the Italian capital. Roma had to follow UEFA financial fair play guidelines, but a recent report stated that a 25% net profit was earned, and expenditure is no longer being closely watched.
And it looks that Friedkin has bigger plans for Roma. He previously hired Jose Mourinho, who led the Giallorossi to the Europa Conference League title in 2022, as well as adding star players Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala. And sources indicate that a return to the Champions League is very much on the cards. Roma hasn’t competed in Europe’s best club competition in five years, last reaching the semi-finals in 2018.
That was certainly the hope under Mourinho, but the former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager was fired in January, and Daniele De Rossi took over at the Stadio Olimpico as a caretaker. De Rossi is a Roma icon, having made 616 appearances during his playing career. He had an amazing start to his tenure in charge of his boyhood club, leading them to the Europa League semi-finals and sixth place in Serie A.
The 2006 World Cup winner with Italy has now been given the role on a permanent basis, with a contract until June 2027. According to Italian writer Fabrizio Romano, the contract is worth approximately €10 million over three years. And he’s been given a clear goal: to qualify for the Champions League. Roma will face Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, Napoli, Atalanta, and arch-rivals Lazio for a spot among Europe’s elite teams. It will be a tall order, but not impossible.
Perhaps it hints at what Friedkin’s long-term goals are at Everton. The short-term goal will be to restore financial stability following several years of turbulence. Friedkin will be aware that the Blues are a long way from challenging for European competition following two Premier League relegation battles and an eight-point deduction last season for violating Premier League profit and sustainability regulations.
However, had Everton not been deducted points, they would have finished 12th in 2023-24. With continuous improvement, Friedkin may be optimistic about qualifying for the Europa League or Europa Conference League.
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