Koeman aims to bring back Everton glory days

Daniel Storey

New Everton manager Ronald Koeman hopes to be able to emulate the glory days of the club’s past now he is in charge at Goodison Park.

The lengthy wait for confirmation, after a compensation package of £5million was agreed with Southampton last week, finally ended soon after the Dutchman returned from a holiday which had held things up.

Koeman takes over from Roberto Martinez, who was sacked before the final match of the season after a second successive disappointing campaign.

However, the new boss is looking much further back for his inspiration.

“Everton’s history is a big one and we will try to reach what they did in the past. That is difficult but everything is possible,” he told evertontv.

“The ambition is always to give the fans the spirit that they can see the team is fighting for everything and try to play good football – that is basic to get good results.

“We want to give them a good feeling every week about the team. We are looking forward to the start of the season.

“It is a great feeling (to be Everton manager), it is amazing.

“When I had the first contact with the chairman (Bill Kenwright) and (majority shareholder) Farhad Moshiri about the interest from Everton I was interested to listen to what project they wanted for the coming seasons.

“I am very pleased to be part of that and that is really enjoyable.”

Koeman, who has signed a three-year contract, is expected to bring with him from Southampton his brother and assistant manager Erwin and fitness coach Jan Kluitenberg.