Everton owner Farhad Moshiri tendered his heatfelt apologies to fans for mistakes made at the club which saw them threatened with relegation if it weren’t for a timely come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace three days before the end of the season that averted the dreaded outcome. The victory extended the Toffees’ top-flight spell to 69 years, immediately sparking joyous scenes with thousands of fans spilling onto the pitch in celebratory mood.
However, in all truthfulness, many are forced to concede it was altogether a miserable year which kicked off awkwardly with the controversial appointment of former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez who was ultimately given the sack after just 200 days in charge as his accomplishments amounted to winning just five league matches. Although he did not refer to the Spaniard in his apology, whom Moshiri had pushed to appoint despite a chorus of dissenting voices from the board, he did acknowledge there had been obvious errors made.
The errors he referred to had also extended to the transfer market, where Everton have spent more than half-a-billion pounds since Moshiri took over in 2016, and also in the clumsy manner in which Benitez’s successor Frank Lampard was appointed in haste with lack of decorum.
“Mistakes have been made and for that I want to apologise to all of you,” said the owner in an open letter to supporters.
“It has not been good enough and we need to do better. We are committed to not making the same mistakes again, including how we have not always spent significant amounts of money wisely.
“You have given us incredible support that helped us over the line when we most needed it, and we must repay that support and show that lessons have been learnt.
“Whilst there is no denying that it was an amazing night when we turned around a 2-0 half-time deficit to secure a sensational victory and guarantee a 69th successive season in the top tier of English football last season, it should not be allowed to disguise the fact that we have underperformed in what proved to be a very challenging campaign.
“You did not deserve the frustration and fear that the season brought.”