Farhad Moshiri talks a really, really good game, which is good if he backs it up with lots and lots of action (and, in this case, money).
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Ever since rumors swirled last month that the Iranian billionaire was scouting Merseyside land upon which to build a brand new stadium, Moshiri has been alarmingly forthright about his intentions to do just that.
Speaking to TalkSport radio in the UK this week, Moshiri outlined the club’s current financial situation, which he says is in pristine condition thanks to his clearing of the debts, and the absolute power he’s afforded Toffees manager Ronaldo Koeman — quotes from the Guardian:“We have no restrictions to spend. The manager is totally committed and ruthless; if a player is not up to it he uses another player and eventually he buys one. There are no sentimental issues there. The manager will strengthen the team in the areas he feels necessary. Koeman is Koeman: he does what he wants and I support him.
“I think the job of an owner and chairman is simply to hire and fire the manager, the rest is down to him. Once we hire a manager we back him. He has the personality, aura and ability and we trust him. In Everton’s culture the manager is the most important individual.”
…
“For our club to compete in the northwest of England, which is the new Hollywood of football with Guardiola, Mourinho, Klopp, we needed a star to stand on the touchline, so I got Koeman.
“We needed a strong balance sheet so I paid off the debts. We are now very flexible financially. We need a big stadium, no question about it. We have done the hard bit because the club was restricted to move or expand Goodison by banking covenants, but I have paid the debts so we are free to do what we want and we have the finances to do it.
“The club has taken something from the fans and in our minds we know where to go and we are committed. I can reassure them they will have a stadium which rewards their loyalty and passionate support for our club. This is my key aim.”
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We’ll be stealing, and using, “the Hollywood of football” quite regularly from now on.