Everton fans would do well to keep a very close eye on what’s happening at AS Roma at present, with the Friedkin Group very busy following Monday’s announcement of the takeover at Goodison Park.
The American owners are preparing a ‘corporate revolution’ at the Italian club, according to Calciomercato, and it could be a sign of what’s to come for Everton.
They explain that the Friedkins are on the hunt for a new CEO after the surprise resignation of CEO Lina Souloukou last week.
Lawyer Lorenzo Vitali is expected to take up the role on an interim basis and the hunt is on for his long-term successor, even hiring agency CAA Base to offer up options.
We covered that relationship yesterday and they’ve already put names forward, with Andrea Chiavelli, the right-hand man of Aurelio de Laurentiis at Napoli, offered. De Laurentiis blocked that idea, however.
Another name circulating is that of Andrea D’Agostino, who is the managing director of Coca Cola. But the search may not just stop at a CEO.
The Friedkins are toying with the idea of inserting two management figures at Roma, one who deals with the sporting part and the other linked to commercial aspects. And the idea is to choose an international profile who are ‘close to the Premier League club circles’.
In other words, the Friedkins clearly want a close relationship to develop between Roma and Everton and are already hiring in Rome with that in mind.
The idea of two CEO like figures could also be an indication of what they’ll do at Everton, perhaps keeping Kevin Thelwell, who has done well as director of football in trying circumstances, and hiring someone else to manage other aspects.
It’s certainly interesting and hints that whatever happens, Everton’s new owners won’t be hanging around before making big changes at Goodison Park when they finally get the keys.
