Everton owner Farhad Moshiri threw his support behind under-pressure manager Frank Lampard and the club’s board in a statement to supporters.
The Merseysiders are 18th in the table after just one win in the last 10 Premier League games, a sequence that led some fans to criticize Moshiri’s record in charge and demand changes in Goodison’s pecking order.
But in a statement addressed to the Merseyside club’s supporters’ forum, the British-Iranian billionaire defended his tenure as majority investor since 2016, while saying he understood fans’ concerns and that the league’s position “needs to improve”. .
He also emphasizes the need for stability, with Lampard becoming the seventh permanent manager in six and a half years.
“In the nearly seven years since my arrival at the club, I have significantly increased my investment and our new stadium has become a reality,” Moshiri wrote.
“We regularly review our performance and initiate changes where we feel the club falls short of standard. This has meant that we have seen turnover of managers, football directors and various members of the board, but always as we strive to achieve success.
“While, in virtually all cases, the move has been supported and encouraged by fans, stability must be the key to progression.
“I have faith in the work being done not only by our coach, but also by our director of football and our board. That faith is based on my knowledge of the depth and quality of work being done at both Finch Farm and the Royal Liver Building – and the plan that is in place.
“I am confident that we have qualified, experienced and focused professionals at all levels of the club. We all agree that our current league position must and will improve.”
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Lampard’s side narrowly avoided relegation last season and in the summer were forced to sell their star player, richarlisonto avoid infringing Division I financial fair play rules.
They are desperate for attacking reinforcements in this month’s transfer window, with the third fewest goals in the division, but have yet to make signings as their rivals go from strength to strength.
Some fans who are dissatisfied with the performance of the club’s board will hold a protest after the game at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Many called for changes to Everton’s pecking order during last week’s 4-1 defeat at brightonand again when they were eliminated from the FA Cup in Manchester United at Old Trafford three days later.
Now, a coalition of fans and social media channels, along with some official supporters clubs, have started the ‘All Together Now’ campaign to urge owner Farhad Moshiri to acknowledge his concerns about the club’s situation.
A statement to the group said supporters “are pledging their support for Frank Lampard and the team with a resumption of the pre-match coach salute and full support during the game”.
But he added that they “can no longer tolerate the failure of club owner Farhad Moshiri to address the glaring leadership shortcomings at chairman, board and executive levels”.
The Merseyside club are hoping to move into a new £500m Moshiri-funded stadium in the next few years.
They have also recently completed a strategic review of football operations, which has resulted in a number of first team and academy first team changes, with the aim of progressing both on and off the pitch.
This season they also created the inaugural elected Supporters Advisory Board to improve dialogue with supporters, and which Moshiri addresses in his statement.
Tonight, the board will hold the first of three fan meetings to discuss their thoughts on the club.
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(Photo: Getty Images)
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