David Moyes Has Never Met Everton Owner Dan Friedkin

David Moyes stated that he has never met or spoken with Everton owner Dan Friedkin since resuming the managerial role in January 2025.

Friedkin, who heads The Friedkin Group overseeing the club from Houston, has not attended a home match since finalizing the takeover in December 2024.

Questions regarding the club’s governance and decision-making processes drew intense scrutiny throughout the summer transfer window.

Addressing reporters ahead of Everton’s clash with Manchester United on Sunday, Moyes reaffirmed his dedication to the club amid a turbulent close to the window.

When questioned about whether he had encountered or communicated with Friedkin during the 20 months since his reappointment, Moyes offered a straightforward “No”.

Friedkin delegates daily operations to his son-in-law Rishi Majithia, who collaborates with chief executive Angus Kinnear.

Moyes said, “My primary contact is Angus. I go to see Angus. Rishi is the next point of contact, followed by the Friedkin family leadership in America.”

“I don’t have direct conversations with them, but I do through Rishi; he’s who I would speak to.”

Supporters voiced frustration during Saturday’s fixture at Bournemouth after learning the club had accepted a £40m bid from Nottingham Forest for highly valued England Under-19s midfielder Harrison Armstrong.

Everton ultimately withdrew from the transaction, yet fans continue to express discontent with the board’s subsequent decisions during the remainder of the window.

Beto was transferred to Fiorentina on deadline day Tuesday, before a replacement striker had been secured, and USA forward Folarin Balogun pulled out of a move from Monaco at the final hour that same evening.

Everton concluded the transfer window with only 18 senior players, featuring a single striker, one right-back, and one left-back.

Last weekend, Moyes sided with supporters when asked about potential Armstrong sales, asserting that the club was “managed by an Evertonian” and that “supporters aren’t always wrong”.

He also acknowledged on Friday that structural improvements were needed behind the scenes: “We have new owners who are still familiarizing themselves with the club. I believe that as we get to know each other better, things will improve.”

However, the former Manchester United and West Ham manager emphasized that he would not abandon the task of unifying a club he guided to multiple top-five Premier League finishes during his first tenure from 2002 to 2013.

Moyes remarked, “Everton’s different. I wouldn’t have returned for anyone other than Everton.”

He added, “This club has endured enough difficult days where the supporters find a way to recover. People witnessed the passion of Evertonians last week, and it can be truly powerful. I expect that power now.”

“But powerful for the team, powerful for the players. We need extra from them because we are short on numbers, so we need them. If they’re not with us, it’s terrible. And they are with us—I believe they are with us.”

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