Ronald Koeman has spoken in his first Dutch media interview with NOS since joining Everton from Southampton. He cited a difference of opinion with Southampton regarding entering the last year of his contract with the club as his main reason for leaving.

  • By James Rowe

koeman soaiAt the end of the season, Koeman insisted that he would see out his contract with Southampton, but to the surprise of many he decided to leave the club to take over at Everton, and was unveiled by the Merseyside club on Friday.

Speaking to NOS, Koeman said, “This is a new challenge for me and everyone knows that Everton is a team with a rich history in English football I am pleased to have taken the chance to become their manager.

“I have to improve things here in terms of a bigger budget and the chance to keep key players I want to make one thing clear I left Southampton because I initially just wanted to finish my contract term. The club did not agree as they wanted to see what happens in the future. I received this chance and I wanted to take it .

“Southampton had the viewpoint of not letting a manager enter the last year of his contract as it is not what you do in the Premier League I have proven with Feyenoord that does not have to be a problem so I could not understand their viewpoint and then Everton came in for me and that resulted in my leaving.

“Naturally fans are disappointed and give their reasons to criticise but I would like to hope that giving my answers as I am doing now that they can understand my point of view. I have learnt in life that you can’t wait and you cannot predict the future all the big clubs have managers in place so if you get the chance to come to a club that is very ambitious one that has a new owner and where there are possibilities to win things then I view that as a challenge.”

On potential signings, Koeman admitted he could sign Graziano Pelle, who played under him at Feyenoord and Southampton, ” We have a great striker in Romelu Lukaku although rumours persist with Graziano Pelle who I know from my time at Feyenoord he is also proving to have a great Euro 2016 so far but I will talk with the staff at Everton and discuss what we need in order to make the team better “.

” It is always important by the first meeting to make a good impression and to get results as expectations here are higher at Everton than at Southampton but I am used to that and I am happy here at Everton”.




James Rowe (696 Posts)