221 days have passed since the proposed takeover of Everton by 777 Partners was first announced.

777 and Josh Wander look to be potential saviours of the club stricken by financial uncertainty.

But Everton is not the first club in 777’s burgeoning football empire, nor is it the first club that they have taken over with financial issues.

So what do other clubs think of their 777?

Standard Liége 

Royal Standard Liége are one of Belgium’s biggest sides.

Ten-time league champions, and eight-time Belgian cup winners, Les Rouches last won the Belgian title in 2009.

It was hoped that 777’s takeover in 2022 would begin a return to glory’s past.

Over two years since the takeover, to say fans have turned against 777 would be an understatement.

Supporters made their frustrations heard when the initial Everton takeover rumours were announced.

Fans unveiled a banner which translated read – “Your Galaxy shouldn’t damage our future!”

In December, Les Rouches were handed an ‘indefinite transfer ban.’

This was the second in six months, the first came in June for a non-payment of group insurance (which was quickly rectified).

Their second ban was for alleged non-payment of taxes, transfer fees and full salaries. 

The ‘indefinite’ ban was overturned a few days later.

The new year brought more grim news.

The financial information for the previous year was announced, a loss of €20.3 million for 2022/2023. 

This followed a €20.3 million loss for the prior season.

Despite the initial promise of a reduction in debt, Standard Liége’s debt still sits at €24 million.

Hertha Berlin 

In March 2023, Lars Windhorst sold his majority stake in Hertha to the Miami-based investment firm. 777 acquired 64.7% of Hertha from Windhorst.

However, Germany famously has the 50+1 rule which limits outside investors from total control of the club.

This did not prevent 777’s ownership of the club, as Hertha increased its supervisory board to five members in which 777 acquired two seats.

2PC514W Berlin, Germany. 13th Mar, 2023. Soccer: Bundesliga, Hertha BSC press conference on the entry of the new investor 777 Partners. Josh Wander, CEO 777 Partners, speaks to the audience. Credit: Andreas Gora/dpa/Alamy Live News
Josh Wander in his introductory press conference in 2023, promised stability.

In his introductory press conference, Wander aimed to “ensure the club perform to their fullest potential, both on and off the pitch.”

A year later how do Hertha fans feel towards their owner?

The Athletic published an article in 2023 which documented Hertha’s financial issues. 

According to the Athletic, the club has made pre-tax losses every year since the 2014-2015 season. The most recent season (2022-2023), the losses were €100 million.

Some Berliners point to Windhorst as the one responsible for the financial situation.

777 have begun to take steps to secure the club financially. According to SportsBusiness, through a cost-cutting programme, Hertha are set to turn a profit for this season.

Berliners though, had a similar initial to the proposed Everton takeover as Liége

In September, during an early season game against Braunschweig, Berliners held a banner that read: “Wander: Insurance for football fans? Our investments are called identity and co-determination. Josh Wander, the only thing we assure you is our disapproval of you!’ 

Context matters for this action; Hertha had only won one of their first five matches at that point.

Now sat 7th in the Bundesliga 2., and the club beginning the road to financial recovery, time will tell to see whether 777 can return the club to the Bundesliga. 

Genoa 

Genoa is Italian Football’s oldest existing football club. 9-time champions of Italy, Genoa, are the oldest existing football club in Italian football.

When 777 took over from Enrico Preziosi, they appointed Andrés Blazquez as CEO.

In an interview with Forbes, Blazquez explained the situation 777 inherited. 

“We found a club that had almost no value in the transfer market,” said Blazquez.

“Wages amounted to about €75 million, but the roster’s actual market value was in the €15 million range.”

Genoa in 2021 had a wage-to-profit percentage over 100, with that number now at 45%.

According to Blazquez, there was a point in time that Genoa were paying four managers at the same time.

But how have the fans taken to the new owners?

Michele spoke to Merseysportlive, a long-time Genoa fan and part of Genoa Club UK, who explained just how bad the situation was before 777.

“Most of the supporters were really tired and sick of the previous ownership,” he said.

“We were really at the stage that we couldn’t wait to get rid of the previous owner.”

777 took over in September 2021, however, Michele does not think that the relegation could have been blamed on the new owners.

Listen to Michele’s thoughts on the matter below.

To 777’s credit that is exactly what happened.

Genoa finished 2nd in the Serie B last season which earned them promotion back to the Serie A.

Now comfortably safe in mid-table, Michele has only praise for the direction that 777 has taken Genoa. Take a listen to his thoughts.

For Everton fans, a proposed takeover is no certain outcome.

Yesterday Bloomberg announced that Deloitte, the club’s financial advisors, were seeking new backers to save the takeover.

777 has faced scrutiny towards their source of funds and their capacity to fund the club sufficiently.

No matter if the takeover is by 777 Partners or someone else, more patience will be required before the good times return once again

(Images courtesy of Alamy Image Licence)

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