While Everton fans may be excited for the arrival of the Friedkin Group at some point in the near future, it’s fair to say the last few months have not entirely been positive.
Various decisions made at Roma have turned the fanbase against them, none more so than the decision to sack Daniele de Rossi, and there’s been a long stream of negative reports from Italy as a result.
Well, Corriere dello Sport have a new take on matters, via Roma Forever, providing a much more positive picture of the Friedkin group than has been presented of late.
The newspaper has an interview with Pietro Chiodi, Claudio Ranieri’s agent, in which he explains how the veteran coach made his return to the club this month.
He explains that Ranieri’s return was not a difficult one to do and a meeting in London with Dan Friedkin and his sons Ryan and Corbin only helped to strengthen the idea.
According to Chiodi, ‘it was immediately clear’ to Ranieri how much the Friedkin family cares about Roma. In fact, Dan went as far as to admit ‘I do not sleep at night because Roma, caput mundi in football, cannot win. I’ve put money and passion into it, I’m not up for finishing seventh or eighth’.
That, plus a discussion ‘taken to high football levels’ led to an ‘immediate understanding’ between Ranieri and the Americans. He was struck by the ‘complicity’ between Dan Friedkin and his sons, with the father very much trusting them and seeking their advice on every decision.
The meeting, say Roma Forever, has seemingly put a spotlight on the fact that the Friedkins are not ‘absent and disinterested’ as has been claimed. In fact, they want to win and suffer when results don’t come. They have a human side and are not only investors on the economic side of things.
That, we’re sure, will come as fantastic news to Everton fans given Farhad Moshiri’s disinterested approach of the last few years.
An owner who cares, wants to win and is willing to spend his money to achieve his aims cannot be a bad thing. Add in an apparent football knowledge that even impressed Ranieri and it’s a good mix.
Of course, the Premier League is not Serie A, and their managerial choices certainly leave plenty to be desired but this should provide some positivity for Everton fans, who were becoming slightly concerned given the reports out of Italy in the last few months.
