[bitontheslide]

Everton have announced chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, chief finance and strategy officer Grant Ingles and non-executive director Graeme Sharp have left their boardroom roles.

The Toffees said interim appointments and chairman Bill Kenwright's future will be decided in the next 48 hours.

Last month, Everton entered into an exclusivity agreement with MSP Sports Capital over investment in the club.

Everton ensured Premier League survival on the last day of the season.

A 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at Goodison Park confirmed they would be extending their 69-year stay in English football's top tier.

However, fans have been extremely unhappy at the running of the club and vented their anger with protests asking for the board's removal.

The club's key decision-makers last attended a home game in January, having been warned of a "real and credible threat to their safety" following "threatening correspondence".

The construction of Everton's new 53,888-capacity ground on Bramley-Moore Dock is well under way but has seen costs soar from £500m to £760m, for which owner Farhad Moshiri has been searching for investment.

Talks over funding have progressed with MSP and it is understood the New York-based company will likely expect representation in the boardroom if it does complete a minority investment.

The departing directors said in a joint statement: "We have all been fully committed during our time here and are disappointed to have made the decision to leave Everton.

"We have worked tirelessly alongside our chairman in what has been a challenging period to deliver some of the most significant projects in Everton's history - projects that will safeguard and sustain the commercial future of the club for generations to come.

"We are proud of the commercial growth projects progressed during our time on the board, including the construction of the club's new waterfront stadium. This construction project - the largest currently on site in the UK - is progressing at pace.

"The club's partnership portfolio has also been increased and diversified, reflected in record commercial partnerships and the expansion of our work internationally."

Kenwright added: "This has been a great board who have all worked tirelessly for the club, no matter what the circumstances.

"My relationship with Denise has been known as one of the closest in football. I thank her for her many achievements, particularly her magnificent work in respect of our new stadium."

Meanwhile, court records show Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is suing Everton, his former club, at the High Court.

The claim relates to "general commercial contracts and arrangements" but the listing gives no further details.

Ancelotti, 64, managed the Toffees between December 2019 and June 2021. The Italian's lawyers declined to comment when contacted by BBC Sport.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65884191

[Nicky91]