Koeman appointment will banish 'plucky Everton' tag

Chris Bascombe writes in The Telegraph that Ronald Koeman's appointment as new Everton manager will be seen as the day when the sleeping giant banished the undignified notion of being a plucky outsider among the elite clubs of English and European football.
In luring Ronald Koeman from Southampton — confirmation is anticipated over the next 24 hours - Everton could not have made a more forceful statement reaffirming their standing as one of the Premier League's aristocracy. Those querying this are in a state of denial.
In selling the Goodison blueprint to Koeman and trampling over a Premier League rival, Moshiri has shown Everton are ready to assume the roll of transfer bullies rather than browbeaten as has so often been the case in recent years. The preys are hunters again.

» Read the full article at The Telegraph



Reader Comments (63)

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Gerry Quinn
1 Posted 08/06/2016 at 13:11:51
Very good article on how Everton's aims and attitudes are changing.

Paul Tran
2 Posted 08/06/2016 at 13:33:04
This Telegraph article is required reading for any naive moral doubters of us, Koeman, our motives and status.

We're players now. Enjoy it!

John Grills
3 Posted 08/06/2016 at 14:09:21
I'm liking Moshiri more and more as each day passes. He is a man of few words, but his meticulous approach to selecting a new manager speaks volumes.

He knows exactly who he wants and has worked tirelessly until he has persuaded Koeman to take the helm.

Simon Smith
4 Posted 08/06/2016 at 15:14:28
I'm looking forward to seeing what players get signed. Could be a very exciting summer...
Ian Burns
5 Posted 08/06/2016 at 15:54:18
Love this article - sums up our situation perfectly
Paul Kossoff
6 Posted 08/06/2016 at 15:55:28
I'll believe in Moshiri when he kicks out the conmen on the board and stops the high interest loans, and borrowing off Peter to pay Paul, or is it bill to pay Peter?
Ian Jones
7 Posted 08/06/2016 at 15:59:23
Read the article, really interesting, especially like

'Everton are lords of the English game'

What a statement!

Martin Mason
8 Posted 08/06/2016 at 16:29:15
This is really pinching myself time. Is this my Everton this is all happening to?

Koeman will need good time though to assess the players and to build a team that he thinks can be successful and it isn't just as simple as buying a few players. Getting them all to Gel is the hard thing

David Chait
9 Posted 08/06/2016 at 16:32:24
Excuse my language here! But fuck me that got my juices pumping!
The cold clinical manner we hunted down and "have" the man we wanted when honestly almost no non Everton fan thinks it's a step up is a massive show of not only intent, but power!
They are noticing us now!

Mike Allen
10 Posted 08/06/2016 at 16:59:38
Let's remember we have talent coming through, let's not play fantasy football in the transfer market – no mercenaries please.
Morgan Edwards
11 Posted 08/06/2016 at 17:14:53
Great article says so much about our great club. I truly believe a sleeping giant has awoken from its slumber.
Brian Denton
12 Posted 08/06/2016 at 17:21:08
This man will be drummed out of the RS Journalist/Pundit's Union!
Daniel A Johnson
13 Posted 08/06/2016 at 17:30:22
Its time to believe again.

No more knife to a gun fight and getting out of Old Trafford alive.

No more teary eyed panto boys pen stories and ring fenced quotes and blind loyalty to mediocrity "what a manager".

Moshiri is making his mark with cold hard cash. Money talks.

We have a billionaire owner and our days rattling around in the bargain bin are over.

Dan Davies
14 Posted 08/06/2016 at 17:57:51
The media are starting to wake up to the fact that Everton might just be the cat amongst the pigeons in the near future.

Dan@13, 'what a manager' can go down in history with 'you can't win anything with kids'. Lol

Scott Hamilton
15 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:00:42
Wow, reading that I felt teary yet at the same time vaguely aroused!
Paul Ellam
16 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:08:20
This who we are. This is who we always were. We are a huge club that has massively underachieved, not a plucky little club that has overachieved.
Sadly, due to SKY and the Premier League advertising group anything before 1993 has been largely forgotten and all the new football fans have been brought up on Man Utd and Chelsea being top dogs - not how it was when they were both guff and we were Kings!
Guillem Balague has added his considerable presence to the debate too by claiming on his twitter account that European football as a whole consider Everton to be a huge club, only in England are we seen as on a par with Southampton, West Ham etc.
Well done Guillem!
Long may this wave of optimism (and money) continue.
Phil Martin
17 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:12:18
Just reading online that PSG want Monchi and Emery (and are very confident of getting both). Missing out on getting Monchi would be a blow. I was getting used to this "we always get our man" type EFC.
Kristian Boyce
18 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:14:29
I think the behind the scenes manner Moshiri has been operating in over the last few months has caught out non-Everton fans and quite pathetically journalists. The takeover wasn't loud and brash like a Chelsea or City (and I know we're not comparing finances here) but was very professional. The be fair there hasn't been much gushing from Kenwright in it all either.

It has been interesting to see all the mini freak out Saints fans have had over the last couple of days with all the 'big club talk'. Bizarrely I've seen lots of West Ham fans have join in, in shock at him leaving as well. What I've noticed is that much of the questioning of size has come from a number of pundits, who aren't the brightest. When City and Chelsea went through their takeovers, they became 'big clubs' over night with the huge wealth they received. Their lack of history was erased and a new dawn brought them a new standing. Their brash handling of the new wealth also made a name for themselves, with the Lescott saga making them and Hughes look slightly foolish how they went about the whole transfer.

I wouldn't be surprised if we start seeing more pieces like this over the next few weeks/months, with the media finally and conveniently remembering that we're a 'big club' again, as we have a wealthy owner. Who will spend large amounts of money on the players to get us back on top.

Marc Jones
19 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:14:30
I must admit I wasn't enthralled by the Koeman announcement but.. the more I read of him and the way Mr Moshiri is going about business is making me dare to dream again.

When the media and pundits begin to moan about 'Plucky Everton' having the cheek to turn up to the top table you know you've hit a nerve. I say long may it continue

Jim Lloyd
20 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:14:55
Aye Martin, it's hard to believe, that it's just possible we are going to experience, for the first time since the Sixties, an Everton Football Club take it's place at the top table of English football.

If Mr Moshiri has decided to give Everton all that he is, then watch out you RS loving BBC mob, and the rest of the cronies in the press, I think we might just be on our way...at long, long last.

James Morgan
21 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:20:37
Paul Ellam,
I've always been intrigued as to what Gulliem Balague says about football because he tends to talk more sense than half the hacks over here put together. Glad to hear our name still rings true through the continent.
William Cartwright
22 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:28:42
The Chris Bascome article is one of the best I have read in years. It puts the whole recent history of Everton into a nutshell. The bottom line is we are moving back into the top clubs bracket for two reasons. Money and class. Nothing vulgar about Moshiri's millions (sorry billions), just a quiet respectful get the right ob done approach.

I think his deciding upon and landing of Koeman is a real message of the direction we are going in, and equally as important the quality of style with which we are going about the business.

Fascinating to see the contrast of the appointment of Mourihno at Man Utd. First order of business is 30 million on a relatively unknown defender. OK he may be good . . . . Second action, levering their new manager to make a public apology for his previous sexist behavior with Chelsea.

Somehow I think those kind of headlines will continue to fly around Old Trafford but stay away from Goodison. I believe we have dodged a bullet with Mourihno, he was probably never on Moshiri's radar anyway.

Aristocrats of the game with a new found strength, money, the same source of the success of the Sky 4 but without the vulgarity. I love it! COYB.

William Cartwright
23 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:28:42
The Chris Bascome article is one of the best I have read in years. It puts the whole recent history of Everton into a nutshell. The bottom line is we are moving back into the top clubs bracket for two reasons. Money and class. Nothing vulgar about Moshiri's millions (sorry billions), just a quiet respectful get the right ob done approach.

I think his deciding upon and landing of Koeman is a real message of the direction we are going in, and equally as important the quality of style with which we are going about the business.

Fascinating to see the contrast of the appointment of Mourihno at Man Utd. First order of business is 30 million on a relatively unknown defender. OK he may be good . . . . Second action, levering their new manager to make a public apology for his previous sexist behavior with Chelsea.

Somehow I think those kind of headlines will continue to fly around Old Trafford but stay away from Goodison. I believe we have dodged a bullet with Mourihno, he was probably never on Moshiri's radar anyway.

Aristocrats of the game with a new found strength, money, the same source of the success of the Sky 4 but without the vulgarity. I love it! COYB.

Raymond Fox
24 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:30:10
We have the potential to fill a 60,000 capacity stadium if the team is truly good enough and on par with the best in the Prem.

Before we get too excited lets see what the quality of team is that play the first league game.

Brian Denton
26 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:32:23
Jim (20) Did 1984-87 pass you by then? You missed a treat!
Tony Draper
27 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:46:29
Raymond @24.
Dead right mate, 60,000 is the right size. Let's face it, even as we speak we've shifted 31,000 season tickets and averaged over 38,000 at home last season. This in a ground with around 10% obstructed views !

West Ham are doing season tickets at promotional rates for "The Jelly Deal Arena", better to fill the gaff.

Build it, 'cos we're gunna bloody well need it !

And I'd call it "The Dean Ground".

Daniel A Johnson
28 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:48:08
Klopp, Mourinho and Guardiola all North West managers.

We have a name which will stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

If Everton are ever on TV and the camera cuts to our manager on the touch line he will be the instantly recognised world wide by fans as the dutch legend Ronald Koeman. Not an unknown like Martinez, Moyes or Howe.

Phil Walling
29 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:49:46
So many on here are easily seduced. We haven't even had Koeman with a scarf held high yet !

Fot gawd's sake let's see what the season brings before we start getting off on Monshiri. Leicester didn't need his millions but Evertonians seem to think that money alone will conquer Europe !

Brian Denton
30 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:52:32
That's the spirit, Phil!
Paul Tran
31 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:54:26
The thing about all of this is that now we'll be holding a gun in a gunfight. That's it, until we get a better squad that's fitter and more motivated. And that's when Moshiri and Koeman will earn their money and adulation.

But for now, surely we can get a bit excited, eh?

Daniel A Johnson
32 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:55:42
Paul Tran were now holding a fucking bazooka instead of a conker
Brent Stephens
33 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:58:36
That Telegraph article has me feeling a smug Evertonian. Well done Moshiri and colleagues. Great stuff.

Telegraph "Beyond a few anodyne quotes on the club’s website, Moshiri has not uttered a word in public since investing in Everton. In securing his prime managerial target, he has spoken volumes about how and where he intends to lead the club."

So can we now allow the club get on with transfers, stadium etc without the constant complaints we've always had about being kept in the dark?

Brin Williams
34 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:58:47
And all that is from a Red - phew we must be moving the football mountain - roll on!!
I'd love to have the pie franchise in the new stadium.. omg!
Raymond Fox
35 Posted 08/06/2016 at 19:03:27
Paul, lets say its looking very promising, more promising than for a very long time.
More than that, topics will be coming thick and fast on here, bring it on.
Colin Glassar
36 Posted 08/06/2016 at 19:05:32
Even Paul Merson thinks we can challenge for the title next season. Does anyone remember when the announcement of Moshiri was made on ssn and he said, "oh, dear"? A few people on here freaked out but I said he probably Arsenal's loss and Everton's gain.

A lot of gooner fans hate kroenke and his acceptance of top four and a profit, and we're hopeful Usmanov and his mate would take over. No chance of that now.

Kevin Tully
37 Posted 08/06/2016 at 19:10:13
I've got to be honest, this is about the 5th article I've come across in the mainstream media in the past month or so that states Everton should no longer accept mediocrity..blah ..blah. Doesn't the change of attitude strike anyone as a bit strange? What about the last 20 years? Yes, I know we've got someone who can now hopefully deliver on plans for a new stadium and investment, but Earl & Woods (who owned about 43% between them) were worth about £300m, why the sudden pressure on Moshiri to part with his fortune? It stinks of the press loosening their pens after being kept "on message" about plucky little Everton.

It wasn't so long ago on these very pages we were reading statements like "we can't improve our commercial income" or "we'll never fill a 50,000 capacity stadium." I think that attitude was also unbelievably prevalent at boardroom level.

Everton fans were that downtrodden after 20 years of being told how lucky they were to finish in the top eight, that all ambition had long since left the club. Some swallowed it whole and agreed we should know our place. A lot knew we were still a massive club just by going to one or two games across Europe, or witnessing our fans at Wembley. Two seasons of finishing 11th and we have just sold a record number of season tickets - 31,000 I believe. Potentially, we could expect to be challenging for the League title every year if we can bring in the right people, that should be the level of our ambition.

I think the reason Kenwright has at last let go is twofold. His health problems have certainly been a factor. Also, the fact people like Earl have been happy with their fat profit has enabled the board to move forward with a sale. The words 'ambition' and 'Everton F.C.' were nowhere to be seen in the same sentence.

The likes of Neville Southall was pilloried for even mentioning the thought of League titles. Graeme Sharpe & Graham Stuart were only saying 'be careful what you wish for' only 6 weeks ago FFS!!

No set of supporters deserve success more than our loyal lot, that's for sure.

Tony Draper
38 Posted 08/06/2016 at 19:13:24
Phil @29.
You're right of course, this outbreak of happiness may prove to be premature, or not.

In the meantime, have a listen to this, it's bloody good and might just hit the spot for you.

Link

Martin Mason
39 Posted 08/06/2016 at 19:27:45
Jim@20 I'll forgive you missing the Kendall years but they were just a blip on a decline line that has been in place since 1970.

I love the way that Moshiri has done his business saying nothing and courting no popularity as BK would have done but just doing it. He's bought good experience from Arsenal and I'm sure that Koemans knows exactly who he wants to buy from his Southampton research.

Amazing days.

Lee Whitehead
40 Posted 08/06/2016 at 19:43:00
OMG! We really are on the move "the sleeping giant is about to wake up"

I'm so excited about the future. In Moshiri we trust!

NSNO

Phil Walling
41 Posted 08/06/2016 at 19:57:55
I want -and expect- Koeman to be a great improvement on his predecessor. After all, he's got a great background as a star player and a more than decent cv as a manager.

All this SHOULD be enough to see him garner at least the 'seventhish' place he managed for Southampton and which was almost ours of right before the Martinez experiment.

What I don't buy into is all this talk of our being in a position 'to challenge for the Prem title year on year'! Let's just remember ALL clubs will be blessed with more dough from now on and at least SIX of our rivals still have backers whose wealth leaves Mosher in the pauper class !

So how do my beloved bookies see it ?

Well, truth to tell, they see no less than EIGHT other clubs more likely to pull off the title than Everton, so let's take a glance at how they rate:-

Man City 9/4, Man Unt. 9/2, Arsenal 6/1, Chelsea 7/1, Spurs 8/1, RS 9/1, Leicester 33/1, West Ham 100/1.

Everton are next at 125/1. Who's up for a bet ?

Colin Glassar
42 Posted 08/06/2016 at 20:02:05
Putting a tenner on that 125/1, Phil.
Martin Mason
43 Posted 08/06/2016 at 20:03:53
Respect to BK please too. He did exactly what he said he was going to do and got us a deal that no other club has a serious chance of emulating.
Brian Hill
44 Posted 08/06/2016 at 20:04:17
Phil, I'll have a fiver on us!! And I'll buy you a pint of the local stuff if I am ever there!!
Brian Denton
45 Posted 08/06/2016 at 20:05:43
Get it on quick, Colin. Some are down to 80-1 and that will fall further.
Raymond Fox
46 Posted 08/06/2016 at 20:14:35
Phil, your right to be cautious, I mentioned the betting last week and I'm sure we were rated to finish 10th, so we have moved up one place from then!

It all depends how much our knight in shining armour is willing to spend on players.
We will have to wait and see.
I do think there's a very good chance we will finish in front of Leicester and West Ham this season though, the other 6 may be more difficult.

Paul Ellam
47 Posted 08/06/2016 at 20:17:25
I have to admit I am getting swept away by this wave of optimism and happiness.
Everton 125/1 for the title?
Sod it! Stick me down for a quid....................each way!
Frank Crewe
48 Posted 08/06/2016 at 20:20:29
Phil 41

Only eight clubs? Last season they thought there were nineteen clubs with more chance of winning the league than Leicester City and we all know how that turned out.

Besides I'd be more than happy with a top four finish.....and maybe a cup.

Jim Lloyd
49 Posted 08/06/2016 at 20:30:52
:) Brian & Martin,

:) A thousand apologies!! No I didn't miss that golden, glorious hiccup on our way to our long sleep. Forgive me, I think I've been bitten by a bug. It's a bug that's a new one on me I can't figure out,,,think it might be called... Hope!

Phil, as for us all being seduced. I'm a reasonably cautious man and, until/if Ronal Koeman and his chosen staff are presented to the world, part of me is thinking that somehow, somewhere, sometime something will go wrong.

We've all been let down a fair few times in the past, so it's natural for me and maybe quite a few more, are not going to relax until we see the picture in the Echo.

However, it seems like most sources now think that, apart from the lawyers going over the fine details, Farhad Moshiri has interested Koeman enough to come to Everton.

If this is true, then Koeman will have been told clearly, what Mr Moshiri's plans are and what will be made available to Koeman to carry the plans out.

I don't think Ronald Koeman would come to Everton, even if the salary is what has been muted. I don't think he'd leave a club where expectations are lower and the team is in a better shape than ours, purely for the money.

I'm sure, in his mind, he is thinking that if he can mould an Everton Squad into a challenging for honours squad, on a regular basis, then the football world will be his oyster.

About the stadium. If I read his comments in the Chelsea programme, he recognises that the Stadium issue is a massive part of the re-building of Everton as well.

There's no doubt in my mind that Mr Moshiri will have plans for a stadium on the go already, whether its a new one or a redeveloped Goodison, it will be coming.

So on this occasion Phil, will allow yourself a slight glimmer of hope, or are you steadfastly remaining in the Glums household?

Mike Green
50 Posted 08/06/2016 at 20:31:06
I took 150/1 on 30th May, drunk. Reading some of today's articles I'm convinced I've not sobered up yet...
Nick Entwistle
51 Posted 08/06/2016 at 20:32:41
I put a fiver e/w on Utd and the Barcodes to do the double. 18/1
Patrick Murphy
52 Posted 08/06/2016 at 20:51:38
I'm not sure it's prudent to advertise what you're about to pay players in advance but it's a pretty clear statement of intent - if true!

Wage Structure

Tony McNulty
53 Posted 08/06/2016 at 20:52:37
If half of what we've been reading is true, one thing is sure: we will be getting a whole new set of names posting on TW.

Perhaps we need to issue a "guide to TW" for the newbies. There's a great deal of background and numerous historical references on here which will be a complete puzzle to the uninitiated.

Jim Lloyd
54 Posted 08/06/2016 at 21:02:01
Patrick, I wonder how much of that is supposition on Phil Kirkbride's part, or he may have been told by the Mirror to "Tart" things up a bit on the Everton Story.

Phil usually does good Everton reports from the match and is not normally prone to saensationalist type stories. I can't see Everton Broadcasting what their wage structure will be. But it's probably a fair guess.

If we are going to attract higher class of players, then they'll expect commensurately decent Pay packets, to ther Permiership sides aiming to challenge regularly for honours. I wonder if that's any more than West Ham offer to top players?

Colin Glassar
55 Posted 08/06/2016 at 21:32:11
Good point Tony, we might need a 'plastics free' zone. I know of Man City supporters who still can't believe what's happened to their club and hark back to the days of Main Road and relegation struggles.
Tony McNulty
56 Posted 08/06/2016 at 21:49:47
Colin, perhaps a set of questions e.g.:

1. What is the significance of the Moyes family holiday, and what name was used for the spouse in question?
2. Where is the Freshie?
3. Who has received the greatest number of bans on the live feed?
4. Who was known as "Softollies"?
5. Name the South American player most often referenced on football transfer day.


Gerry Quinn
57 Posted 08/06/2016 at 21:52:54
Q6. Why was Hibbo to blame for everything?
Colin Glassar
58 Posted 08/06/2016 at 21:57:00
Not Hibbo Gerry, Ossie!!
Dave Ganley
59 Posted 09/06/2016 at 07:13:35
I Can't wait till the new season now. It's been like a mountain has been lifted from the clubs shoulders since Martinez was sacked and now it feels like we've been lifted to the upper echelons of Olympus!! Sorry Phil Walling you're not pissing all over this bonfire mate. It's been a very long time since we EvertonIans have had real genuine hope and for once I want to bask in it for a while.

We may not be title contenders for a while yet but the genuine prospect of glory days to return and with the prospect of a new stadium on the horizon has me positively brimming with excitement again. It really feels like the real deal this time round and I'm going to enjoy this moment for some time. 125/1 Phil? Yeah I'll have some of that

Gerry Quinn
60 Posted 09/06/2016 at 11:51:08
...and I like RK's sense of humour - especially the mayonnaise incident...


http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/Everton-fc-ronald-koeman-quotes-11447931?

Stan Schofield
61 Posted 09/06/2016 at 18:32:31
The Telegraph article is excellent.

I've supported Everton for 55 years, in that time seeing us win 4 titles, 3 FA cups and a Cup Winners Cup. That's an average of a trophy every 7 years, plus we've never been out of the top flight. The last 20 and more years have been what Everton would regard as relatively mediocre, but which most clubs would regard as success.

All the talk about whether Everton is a big or small club is just a load of media drivel. We've just lacked the financial resources to be the buying team that we were and not the selling team we've been seen to be during the last couple of decades. Until now!

Terence Beresford
62 Posted 10/06/2016 at 08:43:32
Everton being being spoken as "The Lords of English Football"! Those were the days, eh boys.

I have a good feeling about this and, having supported the blues for over 50 years, I do not say that lightly.

Thomas Lennon
63 Posted 12/06/2016 at 10:17:25
When we stop being 'plucky' we will also start becoming less 'cosy'. Business will take a higher priority, ticket prices more market driven, appeals to your 'plastic' fans more blatant. From that more lucrative sponsorship will flow, as we will have more to offer.

This is one cost of having billionaire owners - some have said many times it constitutes the loss of part of our collective 'soul'.

Our comfort zone is diminishing, there will be moaners for years (ask any Man C fan you know). Is selling a part of our soul worth it for a new stadium, challenging as genuine contenders, beating LFC more than once every ten years? Of course it is!.

Patrick Murphy
64 Posted 12/06/2016 at 10:33:56
Andy Dunn of the Mirror pens a piece about the 'new dawn' at Goodison Park, that is an interesting read and raises some questions as to how Everton FC may or may not return to being considered a big club.

A Big Club?


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