Amidst all the managerial merry-go-round taking place in the Premier League, Everton look set to appoint Southampton’s Ronald Koeman as their next manager, with his agent confirming that personal terms have been agreed.
Having sacked Roberto Martinez following their penultimate game of the 2015/16 season, Everton looked to have finally made a breakthrough in their quest for a new manager with Ronald Koeman reportedly agreeing terms to become the Toffees’ next manager. The Dutchman’s impressive work in the Premier League with Southampton initiated the Merseysiders’ desire to bring him to Goodison Park. The Saints’ are demanding a £5 million compensation from Everton for seeking the services of Koeman.
In two years at St.Mary’s, Koeman has managed to deal with the mass exodus of players to big clubs and still guide them to a 6th place finish in the Premier League in 2015/16, one that assured European football for the Saints’ next season. That was opposed to an Everton side who, despite boasting quality players in the squad, struggled to establish any semblance of consistency under Roberto Martinez. As a result, the Toffees had to consign themselves to a finish in the bottom half of the table.
Hence the appointment of Ronald Koeman was met with a wave of optimism from Evertonians who saw the Dutchman as a major upgrade on Martinez, although a large faction of the twitterati did express their surprise at the former Barcelona superstar taking the step down from Southampton.
Sky Sources: Everton & Southampton close to finalising £5m compensation deal for Ronald Koeman to become Everton manager.#SSNHQ
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) June 6, 2016
Everton fans trying to convince themselves they’re a big club after appointing Koeman. pic.twitter.com/Yc1n3fBbkw
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) June 6, 2016
Really strange that Koeman has agreed to go to Everton. Was building something really good at Southampton
— Anything Liverpool (@Anything_LFC) June 6, 2016
The difference between Koeman and Martinez pic.twitter.com/xIYY2Ia6BN
— Jack M (@JM1TTY) June 6, 2016
Ronald Koeman is off to Everton.Really don’t understand that decision from him as Everton aren’t really a bigger club than Southampton.
— Nick (@CatalanKnight) June 6, 2016
Presuming those people saying “why would Koeman move to Everton?” only started watching the sport within the last 2 years.
— Lucy (@lucyefcf1) June 6, 2016
Really can’t get my head around koeman at Everton..
— Macca (@KloppsKopDream) June 6, 2016
If we get £5m in compensation for Koeman I will drive him up to Goodison Park myself. #SaintsFC
— Ashley Whiteway (@ashley_whiteway) June 6, 2016
Why haven’t We announced Koeman? The longer this goes on the more nervous I’m getting, it’ll be Everton all over if it falls through
— Mikey Evans (@Mikeyevans9) June 6, 2016
@tascfor Koeman can actually do a lot with so many ballers at Everton. Top 7 next season confirmed.
— PB (@ItsIniestaaaa) June 6, 2016
BREAKING: I’ve been informed that Koeman will sign for Everton on July 16th, with it being World Snake Day #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/s5BdNC1mNj
— Ryan Lisney (@RyanLisney) June 6, 2016
Koeman deserves all this if hes been disingenuous but if he’s been told “sign or leave” I guess he has to consider all options? #saintsfc
— Moany (@SportyGrump) June 6, 2016
Waiting for koeman to be official pic.twitter.com/R4uuXnneWN
— @ (@DylanTMellor) June 6, 2016
While the clubs were still in negotiation to finalize the deal for Koeman, elsewhere there were rumours the Toffees were looking to snap up Monchi, Sevilla’s outgoing sporting director. The club have made attempts to lure the Spaniard to Everton promising a £100 million budget to spend from in the on-going transfer window.
SSN: Everton want Monchi along with Koeman. Scenes
— Joe (@FxnesMxri) June 6, 2016
Monchi to Utd
Monchi to Real Madrid
Monchi to Everton #TransferSeason has no limits— ㅤ (@beingSUPERHERO) June 6, 2016
Moshiri increasing shares, Monchi looking likely, Koeman/Emery coming, everyone’s fuming at us…
Good week for Everton this.
— ️ (@PhilSwagielka) June 2, 2016
Possibly Monchi & Koeman teaming up at Everton. If I was an Evertonian, I wouldn’t be able to sleep because of the excitement.
— Jamie Currie (@jamiecurrie89) June 3, 2016
Vinny O’Connor mentioning Monchi now aswell and says announcement on Koeman in the next 24 hours but a possibility of it being today
— Jonny Lennon (@JonnyLefc) June 6, 2016
Blues will reportedly step up chase for Monchi once RK is in place. #EFC
— Patrick Boyland (@Paddy_Boyland) June 6, 2016
Everton’s dark days over?
As the club looks to put a disastrous season behind them, the prospect of a manager of Ronald Koeman’s pedigree taking the reigns at Goodison Park brings hope to Evertonians who were fearing the worst for the club over the summer. With a finish in the bottom half of the table and their star players linked with moves away from the club, Koeman’s imminent arrival is a breath of fresh air for the Toffees. Dealing with an exodus of players at a club isn’t new for the Dutchman who has faced the same at Southampton and tackled them with aplomb, bringing in quality replacements to bolster the squad. It is this ability that will have the Everton fans buzzing with excitement over his appointment.
It would be fair to say, having endured the tough days under Roberto Martinez, Koeman’s appointment will be a welcome step forward for the club looking to fight their way up the pecking order of English football.
