David Moyes said he has never spoken to Everton owner Dan Friedkin since returning as manager in January 2025. Friedkin completed the takeover in December 2024 and has not attended a home game since. Moyes said his real contact is Angus Kinnear, which tells you a lot about how the club feels from the touchline.
Moyes' chain of contact at Everton
The clearest line came when Moyes answered a simple question with a simple answer: “No”. He followed that with, “My real contact is Angus”, then added: “Angus is the one who I would go to see. Rishi is the next one and then the head of the Friedkin family in America.”
He went further, saying: “I don't really get any direct conversations with them, but I do through Rishi, he is the one I would speak to.” That is not a small detail. It shows the manager working through layers of ownership and administration rather than dealing directly with the person who now owns the club.
Moyes also said: “We've got new owners in who are still feeling their way in the club. I think if we get to know each other more it will get better.” That sounds like a manager trying to keep relations calm, but it also confirms that the setup is still bedding in months after the takeover.
A thin squad before Manchester United
The ownership comments land against a squad that looks stretched. Everton ended the window with just 18 senior players, including only one striker, one right-back and one left-back. That is a thin hand for any manager, and it leaves little room for injuries or rotation.
The deadline-day business underlined the churn. Everton accepted a £40m bid from Nottingham Forest for Harrison Armstrong before later pulling out of the deal, and Beto was sold to Fiorentina on deadline day. Moyes also said the club needed the fans to give extra because the squad is short.
Everton's next league match is at home to Manchester United on 2026-09-06. United finished third in the Premier League in 2025, so the contrast in squad confidence and depth is hard to miss.
Moyes tried to frame the mood around support and loyalty, saying: “Everton's different,” and, “I wouldn't have come back for anybody but Everton.” The sentiment fits him, but the more immediate point is simpler. He is managing a club where the people above him are still being learned, and the squad beneath him is light enough that every absence will be felt quickly.
FAQ
Why is David Moyes talking about Everton's ownership structure now?
Moyes used a pre-match press conference to say he has never spoken to Dan Friedkin and that Angus Kinnear is his real contact. He also said he goes through Rishi Majithia and that the new owners are still feeling their way in the club.
How short is Everton's squad after the summer window?
Everton finished the window with just 18 senior players, including only one striker, one right-back and one left-back. The club also accepted a £40m bid from Nottingham Forest for Harrison Armstrong before later pulling out of the deal, while Beto was sold to Fiorentina on deadline day.
When does Everton play Manchester United next?
Everton's next league match is at home to Manchester United on 2026-09-06. Moyes' comments come immediately before that game, as he tries to steady a squad that was left short by deadline day.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
