Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has broken his silence to offer Frank Lampard and the club’s under-fire board his full backing, insisting “stability must be the key to progression”.
Lampard’s position has been the subject of speculation after a dire run of eight games without a win, which has included heavy defeats to Brighton and Bournemouth as well as a damaging home loss to Wolves.
The club’s supporters also turned on the Everton board of directors after the dismal Goodison Park showing against Brighton, with a section of the fanbase highly critical of chairman Bill Kenwright. “Sack the board” chants were vocal and prolonged during the 4-1 loss.
But as i revealed at the start of the month, Everton’s existing hierarchy intend to be supportive of Lampard and are working on strengthening a squad that is desperately light on firepower. They are hopeful of a loan deal for Manchester United striker Anthony Elanga and are in talks with Villareal over a move for Netherlands international Arnaut Danjuma.
Moshiri wrote a reply to an open letter from the club’s volunteer fan’s forum calling for more communication from the owner in which he defended his level of investment and the club’s set-up.
He acknowledged the club’s league place – they have slipped into the bottom three as fears of another relegation battle grow – is unacceptable but said he was “fully aware and understands the concerns that fans may have”.
On Lampard and the board, Moshiri wrote: “I have faith in the work being done not only by our manager, but our director of football [Kevin Thelwell] and our board of directors.
“That faith is based on my knowledge of the depth and quality of work being done both at Finch Farm and the Royal Liver Building and the plan that is in place.
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“I am confident that we have skilled, experienced and focused professionals at all levels of the club. We are all agreed our current league position must and will improve.”
Moshiri also defended his approach and investment in the letter. “In almost seven years since my arrival at the club I have significantly increased my investment and our new stadium has become a reality.” He threw his support behind the club’s new Fans Advisory Board which will hold regular meetings with Everton’s hierarchy. That is part of a new Premier League requirement to engage better with their support.
Whether supporters who are alarmed at the club’s spiralling results are pacified by his statement is another matter and many continue to be deeply unhappy at Everton’s direction and Moshiri’s stewardship.
While fans will resume the shows of pre-game support that were a feature of their ultimately successful battle against relegation on Saturday, many will protest after the game.
A collaboration of fans’ groups involved in the “All Together Now” campaign are organising a sit-in to follow full-time of Saturday’s game. They are calling for Moshiri to acknowledge their concerns about the club’s hierarchy and want “sweeping changes” at boardroom level.
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