Farhad Moshiri has apologised to Everton supporters after the club suffered a disastrous season that almost ended in relegation.
The majority shareholder broke the silence of those at the top of the club’s hierarchy to address fans about the survival battle and to express his commitment to the Blues.
In a message direct to the fanbase he said: “Mistakes have been made and for that I want to apologise to all of you. It has not been good enough and we need to do better.”
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Moshiri addressed his open letter to supporters, praising Blues fans for the remarkable support displayed for the club during the final weeks of the season. Thousands welcomed the players as they arrived at Goodison Park ahead of key games against Chelsea, Brentford and Crystal Palace. Significant displays of passion also met the players as they left Finch Farm for away games at Leicester City and Watford.
Pointing to the dramatic 3-2 comeback win that secured Everton’s Premier League survival against Crystal Palace in the penultimate game of the campaign, he said he accepted the magic of that night could not “disguise” the disappointment of the season.
Moshiri wrote: “Whilst there is no denying that it was an amazing night when we turned around a 2-0 half time deficit to secure a sensational victory and guarantee a 69th successive season in the top tier of English football last season, it should not be allowed to disguise the fact that we have underperformed in what proved to be a very challenging campaign.
“Mistakes have been made and for that I want to apologise to all of you. It has not been good enough and we need to do better. You have given us incredible support that helped us over the line when we most needed it, and we must repay that support and show that lessons have been learnt.
“More than any other club in England, Everton is the club of its people, its community and its fans, and always will be.”
Moshiri also commented on the future and said he remained keen on delivering success - and the landmark Bramley-Moore stadium on the Liverpool waterfront. In his six-and-a-half years of involvement more than half a billion pounds has been spent on transfers and Everton now find themselves flirting with profit and sustainability regulations. The club is adamant it is compliant with those rules.
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Moshiri added: “I am committed to securing the future success of the club by delivering a fully funded stadium that will underpin our status as a leading club. Our new stadium project at Bramley-Moore Dock has reached an exciting and landmark stage as it emerges from the ground, with the four main cores now in place.
“Of course, the stadium alone will not help us achieve our objectives and we are committed to not making the same mistakes again including how we have not always spent significant amounts of money wisely.”
He pointed to the strategic review of Everton’s footballing operation - launched late last year and which has now concluded as part of efforts to address failings of the past, adding: “The recruitment of Frank Lampard as our manager is one example. He was the outstanding candidate at the end of a robust and clearly defined process, demonstrating an ability to marry his technical skills with passion, intelligence, humility and in alignment with the values of our club.
“Other appointments such as Kevin Thelwell, our new Director of Football, Everton Women Manager Brian Sørensen, Coach Educator Kevin Nicholson, the development of a technical board and the search for both a new Academy Director and an Under-23s Head Coach also reflect the implementation of findings from the strategic review.”
Concluding his message - the first direct communication with supporters from those at the top of the club since the season ended, Moshiri finished: "Finally, we cannot forget the ongoing atrocity occurring every day in Ukraine. The response of the fans, the players and management and their support for Vitalii Mykolenko, his country and people who are still suffering because of this inhumane assault has been heartfelt and truly amazing. The Club has already made an important contribution to the Disaster Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal and I can confirm that we have offered a friendly match at Goodison Park to Dynamo Kyiv to raise additional funds to support the Ukrainians – details of this will be made available soon.
"Thank you for everything you did to support your Club so brilliantly during such a challenging season. You did not deserve the frustration and fear that the season brought.
"Your incredible support is never taken for granted and together we move forward."
