David Moyes has confirmed he has never met or spoken directly to Dan Friedkin, the owner of Everton, in the 20 months since returning as manager in January 2025.

Friedkin, head of The Friedkin Group, completed a takeover of Everton in December 2024 but has yet to attend a home game at the club. His organisation operates the club from its base in Houston, leaving daily management to his son-in-law Rishi Majithia, who works alongside chief executive Angus Kinnear.

When asked by reporters ahead of Sunday's fixture against Manchester United whether he had ever spoken to Friedkin, Moyes gave a blunt reply: "No."

"My real contact is Angus," Moyes said. "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. I don't really get any direct conversations with them, but I do through Rishi — he is the one I would speak to."

Chaotic transfer window leaves squad threadbare

The club's ownership and decision-making structure came under heavy scrutiny during a turbulent summer transfer window. Supporters were furious last Saturday at Bournemouth when news broke that Everton had accepted a £40 million offer from Nottingham Forest for young England Under-19s midfielder Harrison Armstrong. The club ultimately withdrew from the deal, but the damage to fan confidence had been done.

Further frustration followed on deadline day when striker Beto was sold to Fiorentina before a replacement had been signed. USA forward Folarin Balogun then pulled out of a proposed move to Everton from Monaco at the last moment, leaving the club with a senior squad of just 18 players — including only one striker, one right-back, and one left-back.

Moyes publicly sided with supporters after the Armstrong saga, saying the club was "managed by an Evertonian" and that "supporters aren't always wrong." On Friday he acknowledged that structural improvements were needed behind the scenes: "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."

Moyes pledges to stay despite turbulence

Despite the upheaval, the former Manchester United and West Ham boss was emphatic that he would not walk away — pointing to the emotional bond he holds with a club he guided to a succession of top-five Premier League finishes between 2002 and 2013.

"Everton's different," Moyes said when asked if he had considered resigning. "I wouldn't have come back for anybody but Everton."

He called on supporters to channel their frustration into backing for the squad: "What we're going to need from them is extra because we're short, so we need them. If they're not with us, then it's terrible. And they are with us — I believe they are with us."