Season › 2017-18 › News
Koeman confident he has Moshiri's backing
The Blues have won just twice in two months in all competitions, a sequence that has left them languishing in 16th place in the Premier League and placed particular importance on tomorrow evening's clash with Lyon in the Europa League.
The Dutchman was asked during his pre-match press conference this afternoon about the visit by major shareholder Farhad Moshiri to USM Finch Farm a few days ago, one which caught the attention of observers given the scrutiny of Koeman's performance as head coach.
Moshiri and Chairman Bill Kenwright made the rare trip to the club's Halewood training complex to mark it's 10th anniversary and to take a look at the new facilities that have recently been completed.
Discussions were had with Koeman about the first-team's performance but Moshiri's position is not believed to have changed despite last Sunday's disappointing 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.
“Yes, he was here but it was not only Farhad Moshiri,” Koeman said. “It was Bill Kenwright as well and more people from the Board because they hadn't seen the new building.
“We spoke about football. There was not really a message but the feeling is they are behind the team, they are behind the manager.
"Everybody knows in football that's a nice thing but in football always, finally, it's all about results. Until now it's full, total support from the board, yes."
Koeman was asked during his presser about his feelings about the security of his position following Leicester City's decision to sack Craig Shakespeare after just eight Premier League games.
The Foxes sit just two places and two points behind Everton in the table but it was not good enough for their Thai owners who dismissed Claudio Ranieri's successor yesterday.
“Maybe I am [already] in the crisis”, Koeman said after being asked to comment on Shakespeare's assertion that top-flight managers are just four games away from a crisis these days. “But, okay, everybody knows that the manager's job is a really difficult job because things change really fast.
“We know that most of the time the manager doesn't really get the time to improve the team. I feel sorry for Craig because I think he did a really good job taking over from Ranieri and he kept them in the Premier League last season.
“But it's football, it's hard to take for the managers but it's part of the job.”
Reader Comments (86)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
2 Posted 18/10/2017 at 18:16:57
3 Posted 18/10/2017 at 18:20:41
4 Posted 18/10/2017 at 18:21:33
Why does the club not have any empathy with a fanbase which hates Koeman's 'style' of football. It's a soul-destroying, joyless experience.
The most damage is that, when (not if) he is removed, the renewed vigour and enthusiasm I normally have will be less than before because, for all Koeman's faults, he's employed by a board who are making the situation worse. I cannot blame Koeman for that.
Sad times.
5 Posted 18/10/2017 at 18:24:28
6 Posted 18/10/2017 at 18:28:19
7 Posted 18/10/2017 at 18:30:11
8 Posted 18/10/2017 at 18:36:55
9 Posted 18/10/2017 at 18:40:22
I'll tell you, just as many fans and sponsors were getting changed in city-centre hotels, ready for the end-of-season awards. The soup had just gone on the hob!
This will end just the same, an absolute shambles. We will never be 'professional' about these things. We like to be seen as the nice guy. Losers, but nice losers.
10 Posted 18/10/2017 at 18:44:23
Just been reading a tweet from Elton Welsby about Barkley staying if Koeman goes... And further down the same thread was a tweet from someone who reported that Lookman left Finch Farm in tears & Rooney had to go after him.
I'm as fed up with player power as the next man but I really do think Koeman has a problem with man-management.
11 Posted 18/10/2017 at 18:46:00
Ross is a grown man and he can defend himself but, when a manager openly slags and drops the heartbeat of your team, he's made a fundamental mistake in man management.
For me he's ripped the heart out of our team in the arrogant manner in which he has handled Barkley.
By putting Ross on a pedestal and dropping him he has made Ross a laughing stock and the message he wants to send out to all Evertonians is this.
"Okay, so he's a blue. Okay, I am the manager and I'll do what the fuck I want because I am Ronald Koeman. Okay, so Dutch football is shit but I am a God in my country and I'll do whatever I want. Niasse will never play for Everton, fuck him, I didn't buy him. I want Ross gone because I want Klaassen. I want this and I want that and I have the full backing of the board, just ask Jim White. Mosh and Bill know fuck all and have told me I am in charge".
I am sick to death of this arrogant, clueless, big-headed bully of a man. He's more annoying every time I see him. Tonight's presser he's smiling saying "Okay, so we are in a crisis but this is Football"
Koeman, please leave and destroy some other Football Club, okay?
12 Posted 18/10/2017 at 18:48:28
13 Posted 18/10/2017 at 18:55:10
Life in the trenches, 2017 style.
14 Posted 18/10/2017 at 18:57:37
15 Posted 18/10/2017 at 19:01:35
16 Posted 18/10/2017 at 19:09:41
What are the board likely to say? If they say anything else it would further unsettle things. You hardly ever hear a board making threats against a manager. They usually just wield the axe (a few weeks after a vote of confidence).
As Kevin (#9) has suggested, our board will probably dither and fart around until the season is lost.
I've read many business books over the years and one of the snippets of wisdom I've picked up is this: if you're going to fail, fail quickly.
In other words, if something isn't generating the desired outcome, kick it into touch and try something else. EFC just don't do that.
Koeman is not generating the desired outcome despite investment. He's not even providing us with any hope because nothing looks like it is going to click any time soon. It's not as if we are peppering the opposition goal or playing glossy football or looking solid at the back.
And I think he's been taking lessons from Mr Snake Oil when it comes to post-match bullshit "Nobody goes to Brighton expecting an easy game" (or whatever). I wonder if Moshiri considered that game to be an expected draw?
Get rid before it's too late. Another season buggered-up I'm afraid to say.
17 Posted 18/10/2017 at 19:13:43
18 Posted 18/10/2017 at 19:16:20
Here, the defence is a mess, the midfield is a mess, and up front is worse. We're creating nothing. We have signed three creative players and try to play them all, but we have no finishers. What's the point in creating if you cannot finish?
This season went wrong with the protracted signing of Sigurdsson and the failure to land a striker. Koeman signed players like he was picking them as individuals and it appears he never actually considered how they would fit together, what the formation would be, how high a line he would play, how much width he would use, how much pace was in the side, and I could go on. For a former world class player, and for a manager hailed for his tactical tweaks in games last season, he seems utterly clueless now.
19 Posted 18/10/2017 at 19:21:35
What would happen if the fans where to sing for Barkley all night tomorrow? It's not a negative protest, but one of positivity behind one of our own, badly treated by this bad man-manager.
20 Posted 18/10/2017 at 19:22:19
21 Posted 18/10/2017 at 19:29:01
22 Posted 18/10/2017 at 19:38:40
The expectations and standards have diminished. Does Kenwright really want to see his Boyhood/Boys Pen club in the Championship in a clapped-out dump stadium?
Driving home from work listening to the radio, hearing Spurs fans wax lyrical about their club, their future their new stadium and look at our current state. It's enough to make us weep. Kenwright has killed this club off, and somehow Moshiri isn't questioning him.
23 Posted 18/10/2017 at 19:56:35
Tell us more. Lookman is the future, isn't he?
What on earth is going on? I'm trying to be positive but posts like yours lead me further down the ‘where are we going ‘ road.
If what you say is true (and I'm not doubting you for one second) what the hell is going on!!!
I've been an Evertonian just over 60 years and I can honestly say I don't remember a darker period, and there have been some, that pail into insignificance in our current plight.
Shakespeare wasn't given a fair crack of the whip, despite behind the scene innuendos, but Koeman must be on borrowed time? Tell me I'm wrong!
24 Posted 18/10/2017 at 19:57:36
It's been condemned to the dustbin of history for as long as the 'School of Science' has.
25 Posted 18/10/2017 at 20:05:09
"If yer know Yer History", "It's a Grand Old Team". I cringe every time I hear it and I suppose so do the away fans in their wooden seats.
26 Posted 18/10/2017 at 20:06:05
I believe that they do and will back him but that he is in the last chance saloon. If I were to guess at the limit they have set, I'd say end of the year.
Everton have the most stupid motto of any organisation on the planet because it leaves them so open to criticism. Of course they can't ensure the best, only provide the best effort within the circumstances. To criticise the club based on its motto or badge is beyond belief.
27 Posted 18/10/2017 at 20:15:03
28 Posted 18/10/2017 at 20:15:38
Prior to our current situation, I would disagree with you!
However, I have to reluctantly agree with you.
Where are we going????
29 Posted 18/10/2017 at 20:15:59
30 Posted 18/10/2017 at 20:22:20
31 Posted 18/10/2017 at 20:24:29
Koeman is showing no understanding at all about that whole 'adapt' thing, sending out the same team set-up again and again! We are not very hard to to plan against, even for the weaker sides!
32 Posted 18/10/2017 at 20:25:59
33 Posted 18/10/2017 at 20:26:29
34 Posted 18/10/2017 at 20:34:34
I think he actually believes it. I was there, Brighton were there for the taking. What did we do? Nothing. Definite penalty, but no real consultation.
Moshiri and Kenwright went to Finch Farm to see the new building!!!
What sort of statement is that? I really do despair. Does he honestly think we are going to swallow that!!!!
35 Posted 18/10/2017 at 20:40:38
I wasn't expecting to get thumped at home by Spurs or out-worked by Burnley. I wasn't expecting to merely scrape into the group stages of the Europa League and then give a gutless woeful performance in Italy followed by an improved but still pretty poor performance against a team that, despite their obvious short-comings, left Goodison with a point.
The two victories we have managed in the league could easily have ended up as draws and our performances on the road are no better than they have been for a few years.
We managed to lose a 20-goal-a-season striker and unbelievably entered the season with no recognised replacement worthy of the name we rely on Jagielka and Baines both of whom have been good servants but whose sell by date expired some years ago. We're paying top wack for waning Rooney, when we could so easily have spent the money on other more useful players.
We have an engine room that coughs and splutters its way through each and every match, we can't tackle, pass or run. We have no obvious strengths and lots of collective and individual weaknesses.
𧶀m spent to make the team less effective than under the Spaniard takes some doing, but if it wasn't for that pesky motto, we'd all be so much happier.
36 Posted 18/10/2017 at 20:46:00
What does "only the best will do" mean and how can a business ensure that it happens?
37 Posted 18/10/2017 at 20:51:58
Get Rafa in before Leicester snap him up. He'd steady the ship, Ross can stay and Schneiderlin can sit on the bench for a while as can Wayne. This team of players is a good manager away from being top six. A striker in January and a run in the FA Cup but please get rid of Koeman, he's sucking the lifeblood out of our club.
Kenwright, Moshiri, stand up and do the right thing. Koeman is not the right man for our club, he's proven that himself. A red Christmas tree, I ask you??
I'll wager he's already planning what he'll do at his next club. First player he'll sign: Martin Stekelenburg, his spy in the camp.
38 Posted 18/10/2017 at 20:57:08
The people in charge at Goodison must believe it has some intrinsic value as they ensure it's used at every available opportunity. It must have meant something to those who formed the club all those years ago too and it certainly means something to the supporters.
39 Posted 18/10/2017 at 21:00:50
A feeling! So no praise either for being a good manager either eh?
What frustrates me and no doubt a lot more Evertonians is what goes on behind the scenes. Such as who actually has the final say on which players are signed, how much input the minority owners have. How is the transfer budget put together, do all the owners have to contribute to the total per shareholding.
Now they don't have to give us any information, but isn't it good PR to let the customers/fans know how the club is run. I'm not talking about giving information into the public domain that could be potentially damaging to the club, only on subjects such as above.
40 Posted 18/10/2017 at 21:08:56
41 Posted 18/10/2017 at 21:10:00
42 Posted 18/10/2017 at 21:21:36
Not sure where your coming from.
The elders of the tribe that formulated our ethic and motto will be turning in their graves.
Please explain to a mere minion where you are coming from in our dire current situation?
43 Posted 18/10/2017 at 21:28:02
I'm actually trying to defend the motto in response to Martin's questioning of it in his posts @ 26 and 36.
44 Posted 18/10/2017 at 21:42:32
45 Posted 18/10/2017 at 21:48:52
46 Posted 18/10/2017 at 22:02:57
47 Posted 18/10/2017 at 22:07:00
Nisi Optimum now translates as Niasse is Optimistic. So bringing him back into the fold meets that criteria.
Our motto is safe in their hands.
48 Posted 18/10/2017 at 22:20:16
49 Posted 18/10/2017 at 22:29:52
Ronald's words do suggest that although Moshiri has backed him publicly, it is not necessarily the feeling of the board as a whole, and that is why he has had to use "feeling" they are behind him and the team rather than quote any words of support from Bill and the rest of the leaders at the club.
Whatever Ronald's faults are as a manager, it can't help if there are communication issues at the top of the club,; does the majority shareholder wield more power than the Chairman and the board? Who speaks for the club, the Chairman or the owner (via Jim White)?
Imagine you are working for two bosses, you ask for a certain piece of equipment one of them says of course as long as it's within budget whilst the other fobs you off with a similar but inferior model who's to blame when you can't meet the targets that you have been set?
50 Posted 18/10/2017 at 22:35:24
51 Posted 18/10/2017 at 22:55:22
52 Posted 18/10/2017 at 23:05:30
I doubt he cares one bit but "okay, maybe that's football".
Makes you fucking sick.
53 Posted 18/10/2017 at 23:19:51
🎵This is the end, beautiful friend
This is the end, my only friend, the end
Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
No safety or surprise, the end
I'll never look into your eyes, again🎵
54 Posted 18/10/2017 at 23:25:31
55 Posted 18/10/2017 at 23:27:02
56 Posted 18/10/2017 at 23:29:13
We are being too slow to react to a manager who frankly is gradually proving himself to be amongst the worst we have ever had. I'd pretty much take anyone over him at this point.
57 Posted 18/10/2017 at 23:38:52
58 Posted 18/10/2017 at 23:54:04
I'm really impressed by Silva of Watford. I see him as similar to Pochettino and that's who I'd love to manage us. So if we can't get Pochettino, let's get someone similar.
By this I want a team that's young, energetic and exciting. He likes to press hard. He likes fast players. He likes energy and so favours young sides. He is a Bielsa disciple and so likes to defend high up the pitch to win the ball as close to goal as possible. Pochettino is a good coach and works on players to make them better.
I want to see a coach over a manager. Someone who can come in, see our youth side and rub his hands with glee and then roll up his sleeves and get to work on the training ground. I'm fed up of endless transfers. I want to see us use what we have and sign one or two players a year if the youth team cannot produce them or we sign genuine top quality.
For me, Silva is the closest coach I've seen to deliver this, as there's no way we can get Pochettino. Silva is a gamble of course, 10 games at Watford, not much more at Hull, a season in Greece, and a couple in Portugal. But if we don't gamble on him now, maybe someone bigger than us will snaffle him instead.
59 Posted 18/10/2017 at 23:55:31
60 Posted 18/10/2017 at 00:01:35
61 Posted 19/10/2017 at 00:18:02
62 Posted 19/10/2017 at 00:21:46
63 Posted 18/10/2017 at 00:22:05
Moyes's remit was to secure our Premier League spot and no one can deny that despite an even more parlous financial situation it was another success.
Martinez's remit was to develop a Barca style of play and build upon Moyes success. Despite our ongoing poor financial resources plus an aging squad he only partially succeeded.
Koeman's remit was to secure Champions League qualification. Despite his vastly improved financial backing and judged by any yardstick he has been an abject failure.
Where most comparably sized clubs have improved on the field, we have become the league's easy beats. Sooner or later, the powers that be will be forced to act; let's hope it will not be too late.
64 Posted 19/10/2017 at 00:57:43
He can't lose: if he (eventually) gets it right (won't happen), he's ace; if he doesn't, he'll get millions.
Our new motto; 'What me worry?'
65 Posted 19/10/2017 at 01:16:51
66 Posted 19/10/2017 at 01:35:42
67 Posted 19/10/2017 at 03:00:30
Excellent post sir, excellent. Nothing to add and nothing to take away.
68 Posted 19/10/2017 at 03:08:18
69 Posted 19/10/2017 at 03:23:14
I don't know many (any) billionaires, but I suspect they hate to be proved wrong. Koeman will be given a long rope. Whether he pulls himself and the club up with it, or hangs himself, is the 6 million pound question.
70 Posted 19/10/2017 at 03:30:58
Marco Silva please!
71 Posted 19/10/2017 at 05:53:29
By this I want a team that's young, energetic and exciting.
That cuts me and few other ToffeeWebbers out then ;)
72 Posted 19/10/2017 at 06:45:59
I think the last four games have proved beyond doubt that Koeman cannot/will not change his brand of boring, Mogadon inspired football. He can't come up with a settled team, so we constantly see players who are confused and unfamiliar with the game play of their team mates, most of whom are as confused as they are.
What is the point in delaying the inevitable? Koeman is a busted flush and even Moshiri must know that. If he is indeed such a successful businessman, he should know when it's time to cut his losses, and losses is something we are getting plenty of with Koeman in charge.
Relegation beckons if he allows this man to go on destroying what's left of our once great club, now reduced to a laughing stock amongst most of the football fans I come across every day.
Enough is enough. Koeman has been a disaster for us. Get rid of him NOW!
73 Posted 19/10/2017 at 08:48:42
A first team regular asked me if, when someone calls you a cunt or fucking idiot when you're training, you would want to work for him?
Taxi for the Dutch fraud.
74 Posted 19/10/2017 at 09:52:08
Apologies if this has already been mentioned but the rumour about Lookman is that he is very, very homesick. Cue a Spurs bid in January?
75 Posted 19/10/2017 at 10:07:47
I would have thought training and playing would help?
76 Posted 19/10/2017 at 10:12:07
77 Posted 19/10/2017 at 10:21:43
He seems to totally lack any empathy with the players and he should be making Lookman feel needed and at least be reassuring him he has a part to play for the first team. Koeman bought him after all, but seems to have discarded him without explanation and hung the lad out to dry without hope or encouragement. I know who I'd rather see leaving and it definitely isn't Lookman.
78 Posted 19/10/2017 at 10:44:36
Moshiri should cut his losses and negotiate a deal and then we can all forget about him. He'll then go for the Dutch job.
79 Posted 19/10/2017 at 10:58:42
I'm paying less attention to the Blues these days too. I watch football to be entertained but I watch Everton as they're the team I follow. I'm much more in the former camp now. For example, it'll be a push to watch the game tonight as I just expect a poor game that I won't enjoy.
However, for what it's worth, here's a few points.
How can people see this as the darkest period in their life time? The football is bad but we have some good players and we're not (yet) in a relegation battle? In the nineties, we often had no players of any decent quality.
Ross Barkley has all of a sudden become a Blue again, the heartbeat of the team, I think I read. Maybe Koeman is to blame for some of Barkley's performances but let's not kid ourselves. Chanting his name to let Koeman know what we think?
The saddest thing about the current situation for me is that I'm not sure a new manager will be able to do a whole lot better with our current squad.
I got as excited as the next Blue when we started making early signings. Pickford I thought would be a good buy as he was young and, if he developed, worst case, we'd get a good fee for him if he moved. Similarly I felt that Keane would be a good addition.
Then things took a turn for the worse. The embarrassing signing and welcome home for Rooney, pyjamas and all. Legs gone but mouth firmly stuck in fifth gear. He hasn't been as bad as I'd thought but the bizarre pursuit of Sigurdsson at the price involved trumped Rooney. "It's not your money, Shane, you don't need to worry about it" I was told. Klaassen I had to take the manager's word on as I did with Schneiderlin and both have been far from successful so far.
My point is, if you look at Leicester, when Ranieri was sacked, you knew that the players that were there could be motivated to play better as they had pace in the team and they had played well with each other before. You look at Everton and you see none of that. The Niasse recall sums it up. I've spent all this money and yet I have to call back a lad that I banished.
The only hope is the return of Bolasie and Coleman and it's small as they'll take time to adjust.
What to do? I don't know, I barely care. Maybe a few more international break spats with O'Neill is the best I can look forward to.
80 Posted 19/10/2017 at 11:47:20
Shane (#79), chin up mate, I've definitely seen it worse. Much worse. Hard to get excited at the moment I know but all we can do is hope and with a few wins, who knows.
Also find it hard to disagree with you about Ross. I've defended him for the past 2 seasons, telling numerous so called fans to shut up as he was being destroyed, particularly at home games.
I'm not sure I can defend him for refusing to sign for his boyhood club, even if he thinks his manager is a nob. If there is any mitigation for the lad, he has clearly been badly advised.
81 Posted 19/10/2017 at 15:22:34
I'm in the wrong job!
82 Posted 19/10/2017 at 15:49:50
Money has ruined the game and taken all the enjoyment away. It's just a Sky cartel now, and the Bosman ruling was the final nail. Watching greedy prima donnas fall around and agents spouting crap in papers just isn't fun.
I live in hope for a return to the glory days of the 80s, but unless Usmanov buys in and throws Man City sums of money around at players, it simply won't happen. Depressing.
83 Posted 19/10/2017 at 15:57:48
I still love the game but watching Ireland and Everton is a chore, although one I can't quite kick as I'm still jumping around the room when they're on. James McClean's goal against Wales led to a severe telling off from my better half, such was the yelp I released.
I'd watch a good game every day of the week if possible but you're right, the money has ruined it. I'm watching Man City and saying, fair enough Pep, you have them playing great stuff, but you've spent ridiculous money on it.
The only thing worse is spending big and still being shite.
As for diving, does anyone know why a human being would role over on the ground if they got a smack on the nose? Surely you'd just clutch your face? I mean, who decided that rolling from a sore nose would make it more believable?
84 Posted 19/10/2017 at 16:03:57
The money has also destroyed the national team, with players retiring at their peak at 28 to prolong a club career. what utter nonsense, zero pride in the national shirt.
I too would happily watch decent games, but they are rare these days. Watching a 𧺬m+ Man City team dismantle stoke is not fun, it's just lop sided and sad. When top teams face each other, it's often a safety first park the bus job like the Liverpool vs Man Utd game the other day.
85 Posted 19/10/2017 at 16:06:15
I watched Sociedad and Betis draw 4-4 a few weeks ago and it was great craic.
86 Posted 20/10/2017 at 17:37:19
Bang on the money.
"What is the point in delaying the inevitable ?"
Indeed...
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


1 Posted 18/10/2017 at 18:11:16