Keith Wyness responds to Everton stadium ‘fake news’ – ‘complete rubbish’
Everton are gearing up to say goodbye to Goodison Park ahead of their final home game of the season against Southampton on Sunday (18 May).
The Toffees are moving into a state-of-the-art, 52,888-capacity stadium at Bramley Moore Dock with two successful test events already held at their new home.
The Daily Mail reported last month (6 April) that Everton have been forced into last-minute tweaks with the report claiming there “did not appear to be a coaches’ room” in place at the new stadium.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted the report is “complete rubbish” and may come down to confusion over the preferences of different managers.
Everton new stadium will be ‘more than ready to go’
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness also suggested rumours swirling about Everton asking for four away games to start the 2025-26 campaign are “rubbish”.
The new stadium on Bramley Moore Dock will host games at Euro 2028 and has also been selected to host Rugby League’s Ashes series this autumn.
Wyness insisted the new ground will be “more than ready to go” despite issues with transport that are beyond Everton’s control.
| Ranking | Stadium | Capacity |
| 1 | Old Trafford (Man United) | 74,197 |
| 2 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Tottenham) | 62,850 |
| 3 | London Stadium (West Ham) | 62,500 |
| 4 | Anfield (Liverpool) | 61,276 |
| 5 | Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) | 60,704 |
| 6 | Etihad Stadium (Man City) | 52,900 |
| 7 | Everton Stadium – when open (Everton) | 52,888 |
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I’ve read all the rumours, let me tell you categorically that they are complete rubbish.
“The stadium is in great shape right now.
“Transportation is still an issue, but that’s not really a problem for Everton. Everything under the club’s control is moving along well.
“The whole area behind the stadium and waterfront is almost complete, I believe it will be June or July when that is finalised.
“It’s going to be more than ready to go.
“I’ve also seen rumours that Everton have asked for four away games to start next season, and that’s also rubbish.
“It’s going to be ready on time. It’s completely up to the Premier League computer.
“All these rumours about coaching rooms, etc, may be due to the different managers while the stadium has been built.
“Each manager will have wanted different arrangements and different furniture. It’s a detail like that which has been changing.
“It’s not the first time we’ve seen fake news, so there we go.”
Everton in new move to agree Calvert-Lewin deal
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (9 May) that Dominic Calvert-Lewin could still extend his stay on Merseyside with Everton still hopeful they can persuade him to sign a new deal.
Calvert-Lewin is one of nine out-of-contract players in line to depart Goodison Park at the end of the season.
Sources have told Football Insider that with a number of clubs “winding up moves” to sign him on a free transfer, the ball is now in the striker’s court with regards to what he decides to do next.
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