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Koeman: Contract impasse made it impossible to stay at Southampton

Lyndon Lloyd , 17 June, 13comments  |  Jump to most recent

Ronald Koeman has cited disagreement with Southampton over his contract as being one of the main reasons why he elected to leave and take up the reins at Everton.

The Dutchman was formally unveiled to the media in his first press conference today and the first question he faced concerned the circumstances behind his somewhat controversial departure from the Saints.

Southampton fans have accused Koeman of a lack of a loyalty and reneging on his pledge to at least see out the final year of his contract but the 53-year-old suggested that the south coast club's insistence that he sign an extension to his deal instead made it impossible for the two parties to agree.

“I think the most important thing is to always look forward and not to look back, not in life and not in football,” Koeman said.

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“After the season, I had a meeting with the board of the club and with [Technical Director] Les Reed and the first option was to go into my last year of my contract and that was not possible.

"They said it's not good because we like to know the future. I said it was not a problem because three times I signed a one-year contract with Feyenoord in Holland.

"I then got a proposal from Southampton and in my opinion, it was not what I liked to see. Les Reed said to me that it was not possible to go through my last year of contract without knowing what would happen after. That made it more difficult. 

“Through that whole story, Everton were showing interest and Southampton gave me permission to talk to Everton. I'm the new Everton manager and that is all I'd like to say about Southampton.

“My thanks to them. We had two fantastic seasons. Thanks to the players, thanks to the staff and to the fans but I'm at Everton now.”

Koeman said he was attracted to the Blues by the project and desire for success exhibited by Farhad Moshiri and the board.

Along with Chairman Bill Kenwright, the club's new major investor had identified the Dutch playing legend as their top choice to succeed Roberto Martinez.

“The most important thing is always if they show that ambition to grow, to win. Everybody knows the history of Everton. It's a big history and it's nice to be part of that — to win, to play European Cup football, to win titles.

“Everybody in the club is ready to take the next step and I am one of them.

“It's always easier to take that next step with a big club,” Koeman continued when asked if the move to Goodison was a step up from his time at St Mary's Stadium. “Everybody [here] knows the club better than I do but it's [been] very lovely from the beginning.

“When I meet the people here, it seems everyone is hungry — the people at the club, the fans, to come back and put Everton back where they need to stay and we will do everything to take the next step.”

 

Reader Comments (13)

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Ian Burns
2 Posted 17/06/2016 at 19:16:23
I'm in love with football again. Thanks RK and wishing you all of the best. You have just walked into the best job in football – you will realise soon what I mean.
Roger Helm
3 Posted 17/06/2016 at 19:41:10
It seems he has already bought into the message – we are a big club, albeit asleep at the present, but – in two or three years, with RK's knowhow and Mr Moshiri's backing – I expect us to be back in our rightful place, ahead of smaller clubs like Chelsea and Man City.
Brent Stephens
4 Posted 17/06/2016 at 19:46:58
I like his "put Everton back where they need to stay". Can't wait for the first game.

Zonder angst.

Doug Harris
6 Posted 17/06/2016 at 19:49:12
That has to be the response we wanted. Everybody in the club is ready to take the next step and I am with the thousands that want it too.

Go on, Ron...


Trevor Lynes
7 Posted 17/06/2016 at 19:53:38
This was exactly the same feeling that we had when Martinez joined the club.

I will wait to see what materialises before passing judgement.

Roger Helm
8 Posted 17/06/2016 at 20:02:39
Spoken like a true TWer Trevor!
Paul Hewitt
9 Posted 17/06/2016 at 20:17:42
This is NOTHING like when Martinez took over Trevor.
Olalekan Taofik
10 Posted 17/06/2016 at 20:40:45
In my earlier post, I said we've had enough speeches which never win games. Koeman should face his job squarely and forget his contract with Southampton – we have paid for the uncompleted job he did there...

He should solve the following questions in weeks and ready for the new season at least before it begins:

1. Release players who are not relevant based on his assessment;
2. Cement leaky departments in the squad;
3. Draw lessons from Leicester City's victory.

We MUST get back into Europe; this can only be possible if we win trophies: top 4 is achievable, Capital One Cup is attainable; FA Cup is surmountable.

Enough is enough, we must be transformed.

Rob Halligan
11 Posted 17/06/2016 at 20:42:42
There's always one, Roger. I reckon if we were about to sign Messi someone would moan "won't happen because he's going down for tax fraud".
Ian Riley
12 Posted 17/06/2016 at 20:49:35
Koeman plays to win. Martinez played to play a certain type of football, no matter what the results. Martinez football philosophy was unrealistic and results did show that.

My feeling from today's interview by koeman is, he wants to make the fans happy. Winning football games does it for me!

James Flynn
13 Posted 17/06/2016 at 00:53:46
Lyndon - "Along with Chairman Bill Kenwright, the club's new major investor had identified the Dutch playing legend as their top choice to succeed Roberto Martinez."

You'd make a fine politician.

Eivind Nyhus
14 Posted 18/06/2016 at 08:18:50
Well said, Olalekan. I think Koeman might be the guy to do all that, good times ahead.
Alan J Thompson
15 Posted 18/06/2016 at 10:24:58
My translation for what its not worth; Football is a funny game and I wanted more security than they were offering and, for now, this is it.
What's the weather like?

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