Friedkin Group considers Everton exit while deepening Roma commitment with €1.3bn Pietralata stadium plan

The renovated Roma Club Testaccio opened its doors on 9 October following an extensive refurbishment, drawing hundreds of supporters across generations to celebrate the reopening of one of the most historically significant gathering points in the Roma fan community. The event in the Testaccio district was enhanced by the presence of three major figures from the 1983 Scudetto-winning team: Sebino Nela, Ubaldo Righetti and Odoacre Chierico. Their attendance reconnected the club's history, allowing those present to share anecdotes and memories tied to past triumphs and the passion for the giallorossi colours. Founded fifty-seven years ago, the association serves as a fundamental repository for memorabilia, photographs and testimonies of Rome's sporting tradition. Local politicians, entertainment figures and broadcasters from TeleRadioStereo also attended the celebration. The refurbished premises will now enable members and families from the neighbourhood to gather in a suitable space to watch Roma matches and pass on the values of fandom to younger generations.

Gian Piero Gasperini is within touching distance of 300 Serie A victories and could surpass that milestone when Roma face Como on Sunday. Only four managers have reached the milestone before him: Trapattoni (352), Allegri (324), Spalletti (306) and Rocco (302). But there is a crucial gap in Gasperini's CV — none of those four lack a Scudetto, yet Gasperini does. Trapattoni won seven league titles, Allegri six, Rocco two, and Spalletti one. Gasperini has made clear he believes he can write that chapter at Roma and has chosen the Giallorossi over Juventus, convinced the club's ongoing stadium construction and the Friedkin Group's backing — alongside their forthcoming sale of Everton — give him stronger guarantees. With no intention to manage another ten years, he views this season as crucial and cannot afford to let opportunities pass. The trip to Como represents a psychological crossroads as much as a tactical one, still just six matches into the campaign. Roma must approach the fixture without hesitation: the two coaches have faced each other twice previously, each winning once, and the history between these clubs offers no comfort in complacency. In their last ten Serie A encounters, the sides have never drawn — Roma have won seven times while Como have managed three victories. Their most recent draw came on 18 January 1987, a goalless stalemate. The match takes place tomorrow, with Gasperini's side looking to maintain momentum and edge closer to that historic 300-win milestone.

The Friedkin Group is to sell Everton, with the sale expected to value the Premier League club at around £800 million including £380 million of debt, according to reporting from Il Messaggero. The family acquired 94.1 per cent of Everton from Farhad Moshiri for approximately £400 million, meaning the exit would constitute a significant financial gain if it completes at the reported valuation. Everton's accounts for 2024–25 published by the Premier League showed record revenues of £196.7 million and reduced losses of £8.6 million, demonstrating the group's success in stabilising the club's finances and completing its infrastructure. Roma remains the strategic centre of the Friedkin Group's football interests. While there is no set timeline for the Everton sale, the decision to exit reflects both economic opportunity and a practical conflict: managing two clubs simultaneously in UEFA competitions has proven more difficult than initially anticipated from Houston. The group initially believed it could handle both Roma and Everton's European campaigns concurrently, but that confidence has waned over time. Some observers contend the Everton purchase was a short-term speculation rather than a long-term investment, evidenced by the absence of any deep bond between the English supporters and the ownership. By contrast, the Friedkin Group's commitment to Roma differs markedly. The family has repeatedly strengthened the squad on the transfer market and has kept the Pietralata stadium project at the forefront of strategic thinking. Since taking control of Roma, the group has invested more than €1 billion and is preparing to spend a further €1.3 billion on construction of the new ground. The squad has been made competitive for Serie A's summit and has returned Roma to the Champions League, underscoring where the family's true priorities lie.