Everton respond to controversial comments from potential new owner John Textor after he discussed Sean Dyche’s future and compared taking over Goodison Park to the presidency of the United States

Everton have distanced themselves from controversial comments made by potential new owner John Textor after the current Crystal Palace boss publicly discussed the future of manager Sean Dyche.

Textor is in talks to buy Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1 percent majority stake in the Goodison Park club, after revealing on Wednesday that he is set to sell his shares in his current club Palace in a bid to complete a deal to take over Everton.

The 58-year-old discussed Dyche’s future – he said he would consult the boss to see if he could adapt to Textor’s strategy – as well as the new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock. He also compared the chance of taking over Everton to becoming president of the United States.

However, Everton have distanced themselves from Textor’s comments, stressing that there is still ‘some work to be done’ to complete the transaction.

Interim director Colin Chong wrote: ‘The club is aware of comments made by John Textor regarding a potential purchase.

Businessman John Textor believes he is close to becoming a majority shareholder at Everton

The 58-year-old has been given a period of exclusivity by current shareholder Farhad Moshiri

‘While positive discussions and progress are being made with Mr Textor to formalise a deal, there is still some work to be done to complete the transaction. Mr Textor’s comments therefore represent only his personal views on Club affairs.

‘Everyone at the club is focused on supporting Sean and the squad as best as possible as the match gets underway this weekend.

‘The club will provide updates on new investments when there is material news to communicate to supporters and other stakeholders. This will be done through the official club channels.’

The American businessman is chairman of Eagle Football Group, which has stakes in both Crystal Palace and French side Lyon, among three other clubs. But he claimed on Wednesday that a deal to buy Everton would be completed at 90 percent.

“The potential takeover of Everton would come from my own financing,” Textor told RMC Sport.

‘The deal that is being discussed would have me as the buyer and not Eagle Football. The buyer of Everton would be John Textor. I would be the investor.

‘A new holding company would be set up. There would be no impact on OL Group. The takeover would be done with equity if it goes well. There is a 90 percent chance that an agreement will be reached, but the current owner of Everton has many choices.’

Textor is chairman of the Eagle Football Group, which has interests in both Crystal Palace and Lyon

Sean Dyche has been Everton manager since January 2023 and has overseen 67 matches

Textor compared the chance to take over Everton to the presidency of the United States

On the sale of his stake in Palace, Textor said: ‘There are 14 teams interested in Palace that are very qualified, five have gone to the next level and now we have two that have made a good offer. There is also a possibility that our partners still want it, because they love the club as much as I do.

“We’re in the last week or two of knowing who the buyer is going to be. The contract I have with Farhad gives us a lot of time to do that, because November 30th is our deadline to make sure we can get it done.

‘Nobody wakes up and thinks, “I can buy Everton”. But if you decide that football is what you want in your life, and then someone comes along and asks you if you want to own Everton, it’s like someone asking you if you want to be president of the United States.

“Of course. If it becomes available, not only am I interested, but hopefully we can do it. It would be a great honor.”

Textor claims he has an exclusivity deal with Everton, although sources close to Moshiri have never confirmed this.