Kieran Maguire issues verdict on Dan Friedkin appointing former Man United chief Ed Woodward as Everton CEO

There are many unknowns ahead of Dan Friedkin’s takeover of Everton, but the consensus on the terraces at Goodison Park is the only way is up given the psychodrama of the Farhad Moshiri era.

The charitable characterisation of his Moshiri’s reign is that, despite the financial issues that have beset the club in recent years, the British-Iranian investor has ushered Everton into a new era.

The transition to Bramley Moore Dock, the Toffees’ sparkling new waterfront home, will bring the club into the 21st century in terms of its infrastructure and its revenue generation potential.

That in turn will soothe Everton’s anxieties surrounding Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which have seen them docked points by the Premier League on two separate occasions.

And no matter what accusations are aimed at Moshiri, he cannot be accused of being a spendthrift. In fact, it seems he has almost completely exhausted his wealth during his time on Merseyside.

New data from CIES Football Observatory shows that only nine clubs in the world have a higher negative balance on player trading in the last decade, based on non-academy player sales no longer at the club.

The obvious riposte is that Everton have spent a lot but their approach to recruitment has been incoherent and, in turn, has landed them in trouble under the Premier League’s spending rules.

And while they have tapered their spending in recent seasons, the legacy of that largely wasted expenditure means Everton could still be facing further PSR sanctions applied retroactively.

But with Dan Friedkin’s takeover now imminent, the Blues can at least start to plan for a time when Sean Dyche – or whoever Friedkin may appoint as his successor – can operate without chaos in the background.

That is just as well, with Everton flirting with relegation again as they approach the halfway point of the season.

However, one issue that may be sounding alarm bells in L4 has surfaced in the last few days.

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Could Ed Woodward be The Friedkin Group’s first big appointment?

Earlier this week, it was reported that Friedkin is in talks with JP Morgan over to simplify the club’s £600m worth of debt.

The financial institution juggernaut just so happens to be where former Man United vice-president Ed Woodward cut his teeth and where he still maintains strong links.

As Liverpool University football finance lecturer Kieran Maguire tells TBR Football, that has led some commentators to suggest the infamous executive could be in line for a position at Everton under Friedkin.

“There is white smoke coming out of Everton in terms of an agreement,” the Price of Football author said.

“The price is broadly agreed and there will be no complications as far as the Owners’ and Directors’ test is concerned.

“Also, there is the matter of signing off in terms of the debt. There has been talk about rescheduling debt.

“Bloomberg were reporting that JP Morgan are involved. That set the hairs running – could this mean the return of Ed Woodward?

“But I think the people that are putting two and two together there are getting 500. He hasn’t been there for many years.

“You never want to count your chickens, but I think Everton fans will be feeling confident. It could be the best Christmas present they get for a long, long time.”

That will likely be a relief for Everton supporters who witnessed the malaise that set in at Old Trafford during Woodward’s supremacy.

That said, things have not got much better for United since the Glazer family’s right-hand man left the club.

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When will Dan Friedkin’s Everton takeover be complete?

As Maguire has previously told TBR, reports are suggesting that Friedkin hopes to be in situ at Everton by Christmas.

There has been some dispute about whether the takeover has passed the Owners’ and Directors’ Test yet, with a handful of reports giving conflicting accounts.

But either way, Friedkin’s coronation at Everton is now only a matter of time.

And with the January transfer window just weeks away supporters will be hoping the American billionaire can endear himself on Merseyside through a statement signing or two.