Everton Football Club’s turbulent period took another dramatic turn when ex-manager Carlo Ancelotti filed a lawsuit against the club. This shocking news occurred on the same day that three important board members resigned.
Ancelotti Files Lawsuit
In an unexpected turn of events, Real Madrid’s current coach, Ancelotti, who managed Everton from December 2019 to June 2021, has filed a lawsuit against his previous club for “general commercial contracts and arrangements.” Although the court filings do not identify the specifics of the claim, it is thought to be tied to a tax dispute involving a £2 million incentive payment to Ancelotti.
Key Board Members Resign
Adding to the chaos at Goodison Park, Everton’s Chief Executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Finance Director Grant Ingles, and club legend Graeme Sharp all issued a joint statement announcing their resignations. These departures came as a significant blow to the club, despite the looming speculation about their futures for the past six months. Both they and Chairman Bill Kenwright had been conspicuously absent from Goodison Park since January 4th.
The resignations had a significant impact, with a joint statement from the departing trio revealing their sadness: “We have all been fully committed during our time here and are disappointed to have made the decision to leave Everton.”
A Club in Financial Strife
These changes worsened Everton’s current financial difficulties and ongoing fundraising attempts for their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. Amid these struggles, the club managed to preserve their Premier League status on the final day of the season after a tumultuous period marked by fan protests demanding changes to the board.
Meanwhile, discussions about Chairman Kenwright’s future at the club continue, with an official statement expected in the next 48 hours. As Everton navigates this crisis, a period of exclusivity with MSP Sports Capital for a potential investment transaction to assure the building of their new £500 million stadium has commenced, signalling huge changes on the horizon.
Looking Ahead
It is increasingly likely that Everton will have to resort to selling players, with interest building around England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana. While names like local property magnate George Downing and financial platform founder Andy Bell have been linked with potential board positions, no formal offers have been made.
The series of unfortunate events leaves the future of Everton hanging in the balance, with fans and stakeholders anxiously awaiting the next steps the club will take to weather this crisis.
