Gary Neville has likened Everton's plight to the dark days suffered by Newcastle United under the stewardship of former owner, Mike Ashley.
In charge of the Magpies for a period of 14 years, Ashley came under scrutiny on a number of occasions for his handling of the club in multiple departments. From renaming St James' Park to the Sports Direct Arena in 2011 to a gradual decrease in transfer investment, supporters quickly become disillusioned before calling for change.
Fans eventually got their wish in October 2021 after the 58-year-old sold the club in a controversial £300million deal involving the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. Success has soon followed for Newcastle since this change, with Eddie Howe's side now in contention for a top four finish having battled relegation only last campaign.
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Many Everton fans are hopeful of new ownership after losing patience with Farhad Moshiri and other members of the Blues' board, resulting in a sit-in protest following Saturday's defeat by Southampton. This costly loss has left many resigned to the idea of relegation, something that Newcastle experienced twice during Ashley's reign, and Neville sees similarities between Everton's current situation and the Magpies' previous hardship.
"When you go there and get a bouncing Goodison Park, it is special. It was depressing to go to St James' Park for many years, knowing what it could be, and it's now a little bit like that at Goodison Park," the ex-Manchester United defender told Sky Sports.
"They are demoralised and the fans need more. I feel for the Everton fans and Frank as well because it is a really difficult club to manage. My brother was there for many years and had to fight through that in the first 12 to 18 months when they were really tough with him. You don't expect an easy ride over there, you expect them to be tough with you and you want them to be."
It is hoped the creation of Everton Stadium can help kick-start a new era for the club once open during the 2024/25 season, and Neville has stressed the Toffees are so far behind the big hitters of the division that this move can't come soon enough.
"You think back to the end of last season when you saw that spirit building outside the ground when the coach was on its way - you thought that would be a catalyst. We all know how passionate Everton fans are, we know they're desperate. For years, years and years, they feel as though they have been hard done by and they have been dealt with poorly by successive owners," he said.
"Look at this ground here [Spurs], look at Manchester City, look at Chelsea... Everton are the equal of these clubs. They are not at the level of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, who are a level above, but they are the equal of Tottenham.
"They need it [new stadium] now. They are behind, so far behind. There has been money thrown at it, but they are all over the place and it's a mess. Every season I say the ones to watch are Everton and they [David Jones and Jamie Carragher] always laugh about it on Monday Night Football. I almost want them to have that season when they jump up and surprise me."
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