Friedkins arrive at Everton while facing flak at Roma after bright start
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American father and son began positively at the Stadio Olimpico but botched managerial decisions soured mood. A banner raised by Roma supporters before their Coppa Italia game at home to Sampdoria on Wednesday spoke to the prevailing mood. “Club and players: all a bunch of frauds,” it read. By recent standards, that was rather tame.
![[Claudio Ranieri during the Coppa Italia tie between Roma and Sampdoria on Wednesday]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/5bfd0769d707fc2f1475564e9d2a130798fd3b54/0_220_4804_2882/master/4804.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
The Friedkin Group, which completed its takeover of Everton on Thursday, has owned Roma since 2020 and enjoyed notable successes: hiring José Mourinho as manager and delivering him the squad he needed to win the first Europa Conference League, as well as finishing as Europa League runners-up a year later. However, the decision to fire the Portuguese in January divided opinion among the fanbase, and the sacking of his successor, Daniele De Rossi, in September sparked open revolt.
![[Dan and Ryan Friedkin sitting in the stands watching Roma play Hellas Verona in January]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/54c4963720b34bc0b48f9388ef5d528ecc31eefb/293_44_3907_2345/master/3907.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
“Yankee Go Home,” read the posters that appeared along the road that leads down the River Tiber toward the Stadio Olimpico. At a protest in Corviale, a housing estate on the outskirts of Rome, ultras set off flares and hung a banner written half in English and half in local dialect: “Friedkin we aren’t in the American Ghetto,” it read. “Here we will tear your heart from your chest.”.
Much has happened in the three months since. Roma’s chief executive, Lina Souloukou, resigned amid reports that she had required a police escort after threats made against her by fans. The club appointed Ivan Juric to replace De Rossi, then fired him 12 games later. Claudio Ranieri returned for his third stint as manager, but not even his popularity and status as a trusted “son of Rome” could restore the Friedkins’ reputation.
