Ronald Koeman: Everton agree deal with Southampton for new manager

By Adam BlackmoreBBC Radio Solent sports editor

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments538

Koeman to Everton is a huge gamble - Le Tissier

Everton have agreed a deal with Premier League rivals Southampton that paves the way for Ronald Koeman to become their new manager.

The Toffees will pay about £5m compensation for the 53-year-old Dutchman, who leaves Saints after two years in charge.

Everton have been without a manager since they sacked Roberto Martinez just before the end of the 2015-16 season.

It is expected Koeman's appointment will be confirmed by Friday.

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Koeman, who has been headhunted by new Everton owner Farhad Moshiri, will sign a deal reported to be worthexternal-link about £6m a year.

The former Netherlands international, who is on holiday, will take brother Erwin and fitness coach Jan Kluitenberg with him to Goodison Park.

Saints have finished seventh and sixth under Koeman - their best Premier League campaigns.

Martinez promised Champions League qualification when appointed but Everton finished 11th in 2015-16, his third year at the club.

Ronald Koeman

In April, Saints chairman Ralph Krueger said discussions with Koeman over a new deal were progressing "in a very good direction", but added the club was "not in any real hurry".

And last month the former Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona defender said he expected to stay with the Saints for the final year of his contract.

Koeman made more than 763 appearances as a player, scoring 253 goals, and won the 1988 European Championship with the Netherlands.

He won the European Cup - now the Champions League - with PSV Eindhoven in 1988 and Barcelona in 1992, scoring the winner for the latter against Sampdoria at Wembley.

He also won four domestic league titles apiece in the Netherlands and Spain.

Koeman has since managed Vitesse Arnhem, Ajax, Benfica, PSV, Valencia, AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord and Southampton.

He has won the Dutch league with both Ajax and PSV.

Ronald Koeman & David Platt
Koeman was only booked for this foul on David Platt during a World Cup '94 qualifier - and scored the Netherlands' opening goal soon after

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Former Southampton and England forward Matt le Tissier said he was "disappointed" and "quite surprised" at Koeman's decision to leave, particularly with Saints playing in the Europa League next season.

"He may feel he has got a better chance of winning trophies at Everton. I'd be of a slightly different opinion," Le Tissier told BBC Sport. "I understand they've got a new owner and want to splash a bit of cash, but it might not be as easy a job as he thinks.

"Most clubs in the Premier League are pretty wealthy now and can compete in the transfer market. We just have to move on and look to the next man to take us forward again.

"The players' loyalty lies with the football club and hopefully they will kick us on again next season."

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538 comments

  • Comment posted by U16101828, at 16:17 7 Jun 2016

    Bit of a strange move. No disrespect to Everton, they have a bit of history and are an established Premier League club, but surely on a similar level to Southampton at the moment.

    The Saints also have an excellent academy and Hampshire is a nice place to live.

  • Comment posted by nmt139, at 16:20 7 Jun 2016

    Anyone wondering about why this move happened?

    Koeman's salary at Southampton: ~ £3.5 million a year.

    Koeman's proposed salary at Everton ~ £6-7 million a year.

    Its basic maths.

  • Comment posted by 21-30, at 16:24 7 Jun 2016

    Modern football = smaller club discovers a good manager who builds a good football team by developing talent. Bigger clubs offer more money to manager and footballers and smaller club stays a smaller club after big clubs buy all their talent. Just look at the vulchers circling Leicesters players. Truly awful of Arsenal to make a bid for Vardy the day before he is due to fly out to Euro 2016!

  • Comment posted by Villag3_idiot, at 16:20 7 Jun 2016

    Good Business this by Everton, interesting to see how the 'war chest' being offered by the new owner is used by Ron.

    Feel for Southampton, always forced into becoming a feeder club.

  • Comment posted by Tipps, at 16:27 7 Jun 2016

    What would be really, really good is if Saints could actually keep (a) their manager and (b) their best players - they're knocking on the door of the top 4.

    Unfortunately loyalty doesn't count for much these days when it's all about money.

  • Comment posted by TINKING, at 16:21 7 Jun 2016

    Southampton in summer is now becoming a joke. #fedup

  • Comment posted by U15446804, at 16:16 7 Jun 2016

    A somewhat sideways move, the financial power Everton now have is obviously a big selling point, feel sorry for Southampton though, people can't stop raiding the poor buggers!

  • Comment posted by U14485930, at 17:08 7 Jun 2016

    I'm not an Everton fan by any means but I can understand the appeal of the Everton job to Koeman. Southampton for all their excellence over the past two to three years are still a selling club and are probably delivering as much as they can in terms of on-field success. Everton have the potential to achieve more, even if they rarely fulfil that potential.

  • Comment posted by Pauliethebloke, at 16:21 7 Jun 2016

    EFC must have deep pockets. I mean no disrespect but when was the last time they threatened to do anything in the League. Strange move but EFC have bagged an excellent manager

  • Comment posted by Topside Highbury, at 18:13 7 Jun 2016

    Judging by Southampton's recent record they will probably just go out and get a better manager who will surprise all the pundits again!

  • Comment posted by U14491141, at 17:37 7 Jun 2016

    People keep saying that Southampton are bigger and better than Everton AT THE MOMENT but that's the point, isn't it? Koeman may just be looking at the FUTURE.

    He's been offered £100million to spend this Summer and Everton have one of the richest men in Asia at the helm. Was Mancini stupid to go to Man City as they weren't so good when he took over?

    Good luck to the toffees (LFC fan)

  • Comment posted by mynameisthehulk, at 17:17 7 Jun 2016

    Shame to lose Ron as I really liked him but that is football. Unfortunately like most clubs Southampton have more than their fair share of supporter who wet the bed and spout gibberish about loyalty and the size of the club. Let's hope we make a good appointment and consolidate our recent excellent form over the next year or two.

  • Comment posted by John LS, at 17:04 7 Jun 2016

    @78

    "He sold out like the rest of them."

    So you've never moved jobs or grasped an opportunity to improve your pay or further your career prospects mattyrjb?

    If not, don't criticise others with more foresight than you for doing so.

  • Comment posted by Den Skitne Gaffelen, at 17:27 7 Jun 2016

    "Everton are clearly the bigger club...

    ...Everton get a gate of 38,000 compared to Saints 30,000
    20 Years Ago in the top flight, Everton gate was 34,000 compared to Saints 15,000"
    _

    As a neutral... you could say that Southampton are 'on the up'; a growing club enjoying and building upon their most successful period: now.

    20 years ago is irrelevant. Ask Pompey or Leeds fans.

  • Comment posted by AstroMan, at 16:36 7 Jun 2016

    Really don't think this is the biggest deal in the world (the compensation is pretty hilarious though). Koeman's early and mid season management was poor but turned it around over Christmas. He owes the club and fans some respect for sticking with him when he was being touted for the sack at one point. Regardless saints will now get a better manager in and hopefully a return to using youth. COYR

  • Comment posted by IC Knives, at 19:28 7 Jun 2016

    Saints fan here - not bothered in the slightest about this. He was gonna go next year anyway, let's get the new guy in quick and continue improving year on year as we have done every year since League One (despite the staff turnover). Good luck to Koeman and Everton.

  • Comment posted by 1878onwards, at 17:19 7 Jun 2016

    New owners and manager,I get the feeling RK will turn out to be the gaffer since Kendall.
    This so called "small club" have continuous presence at the top table for over 60yrs and should the new stadium be built,they could become a major threat.
    I am sure Mr Koeman does not consider this move a downward/sideways step!

  • Comment posted by 1958inbetweener, at 17:05 7 Jun 2016

    With the infrastructure at Southampton I now see them as a bigger club than Everton
    **
    You can see what you want. No law against that

    ..who have not moved forward and always seem happy to be the underdog and in the shadow of Liverpool
    **
    Never happy, and not any more!

  • Comment posted by Southern softy, at 18:16 7 Jun 2016

    So its history that makes you a big club! Oh well I will settle for supporting my "small" local team and enjoy our European tour while the fans of these "big" teams watch us on TV... happy days!

  • Comment posted by Kingsway, at 17:38 7 Jun 2016

    Great signing for Everton. He has done extremely well with an average club. Onwards and upwards for Everton. Get rid of Lukaku who is lazy and delusional.. Sign a decent centre half, a controlling midfielder and a class poacher. Benteke would suit Everton as he is good in the air to feed off evertons full backs who can certainly cross a ball. Sour grapes from Le tiss. Looking fwd to the season

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