Many Saints fans will be delighted with the news that Everton have sacked former Saints boss Ronald Koeman, personally I am just a little sad and wistful about what might have been.

Ronald Koeman was on course to challenge Lawrie McMenemy & Ted Bates for the title of Saints best ever manager 16 months ago, after two straight top 7 finishes & Europa League League qualifications he looked set for a great third season at St Mary's, one that perhaps might see him bring a trophy to the club.

Then came Everton, they were determined to get their man, perhaps because the man they had tasked with finding them the right man for the job, persuaded Koeman firstly to ditch his own agent and join him and then made sure that Everton came up with more and more money till eventually Koeman could not turn it down, becoming something like the 7th highest paid manager in the World at the time.

But right from the start you sensed his heart was not really in the job, at his own press unveiling he admitted that he was expecting to stay at Southampton right until a week or two before, he didn't quite say that he went for the money, but you didn't need to be a rocket scientist to get what he mean't.

You felt that he was starting to realise that he had compromised his own morals and ethics to take the job and he was starting to regret selling his sold for cash before the ink was dry on the contract.

Everton fans perhaps sensed that his heart wasn't at Goodison too, the problem was that Koeman like many Dutchmen is very pragmatic, he was to the point and didn't have as much tact as is needed when going to a club like Everton.

Their fans wanted to hear him tell them that Everton were the top club on Merseyside, that they were now going to challenge for a top four spot, that was the rhetoric coming out of Farhad Moshiri the club's new majority shareholder, but Koeman seemed unable to put out the company line, he perhaps realised that the Toffee's were a long way behind the big six in everything including stadium, financial income and the ability to attract the top players.

Put bluntly Koeman was not taken to heart by Everton fans because he didn't lie to them, he told them the truth and they didn't like it, they wanted to be told that success was only a big transfer fee away, that they were back in the big time, Koeman knew it would take more than words.

That being the case he probably realised that his job was doomed from the start, a top four finish or a trophy was the only thing that would keep him in the job more than two years, Moshiri is a new breed of owner, instant success is all that matters.

Koeman perhaps knew that although he could now spent £50 million on a player, he would never buy a player worth that amount, this summer's spending spree saw Everton spend big, but none of the signings suggested value for money, only overpriced players brought in so the club could make a statement, the fact that they bought in three players in the same position for big money and wages suggested that Koeman wasn't in charge of transfers, it was all about spend spend spend.

Given that like their near neighbour across Stanley Park Jergun Klopp, Everton didn't address problem areas but went for marque signings, yous sensed Everton would fail.

But it is harsh how Koeman has been hung out to dry, the fact is he was brought in to do a job that is perhaps beyond anyone at present and that is make Everton a top four side, no one connected wth Everton be it the club or supporters seemed to realise just how enormous this task was, the fans especially felt that all was needed was a name manager and some money, they didn't take into account that at least six clubs had better inrastructure and a squad light years ahead of Everton's.

Still Koeman made his choice, sold hs own morals for a big pay day and because of that now finds that his career has perhaps gone back five years, in the summer of 2016 he was tipped to be the next manager of Barcelona, Holland and even Arsenal, his next move would surely be to a truly top job.

Another year at St Mary's would have cemented his reputation and given him the pick of jobs, instead he opted to be lead by his agents talk of riches and went for money, now he will not be high on Barcelona's list or any big job for that matter, he will now be seen as a manager who is OK at the mid level or with teams in Holland where it is not so competitive, although even his good work with Feyenoord is now overshadowed by Giovanni Van Bronckhorst who won the Dutch Cup and then their first title since 1999 including a first Champions League place in 15 years.

So today Ronald Koeman joins that list of those who should never have left Southampton, it started with the Titanic and in recent times has included Luke Shaw, Callum Chambers, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert and now Ronald Koeman.

As I say although part of me feels that justice has been done, really I just feel numb, numb about what could have been for Ronald Koeman and Southampton FC, both could now be a lot more better off than they are today, although we have continued to make steady progress, Koeman is now back in the also rans of management althou he will have plenty of money to enjoy his time off and reflect what might have been at St Mary's.

Photo: Action Images

patred added 15:53 - Oct 23 Count me out of those delighted he got the sack. I believe Ronald Koemans difficulties at Everton were something to do with his ongoing regard for our club. Others will point out the money he received was the reason he left. But he only agreed a contract with them when it became apparent that he was not going to get an extension to contract with us under any circumstances. And, this after he made it clear he would honour his full contract with us and that had another year to run. So it's fair to say he was being told he was not wanted under any circumstances. This was BEFORE Everton were interested. In other words he didn't walk he was pushed

-3

rjh added 16:06 - Oct 23 I would have him back tomorrow. Class manager.
8

the_saint added 16:08 - Oct 23 Saints wanted him to sign an extension to his contract he stated it’s not the Dutch way of doing things and was going to see how the last year went before signing another one. Saints wanted him to sign so they had stability or go so no he was not pushed saints were forced into a corner. Then along cake Everton with their wads of cash and like any of us would do take the money.

3

the_saint added 16:15 - Oct 23 In fact I will adjust my last statement they were both forced into a corner that their were no winners
0

SkateHater added 16:18 - Oct 23 What’s this bS about him not being offered a new deal, he was and he verbally agreed to sign it with his old agent before sacking him for turning down Everton’s initial interest, and promptly changed agents. Immediately his new agent asked to renegotiate his terms again, at best he tried to use Everton interest as leverage, but the truth is, he left because he was offered a more lucrative stepping stone to where he ultimately wants to get in his own career.

3

pete_boggs added 16:25 - Oct 23 I agree with Pat, he wanted to see out his 3rd year with us to see what our ambitions were in the transfer window but was forced out and made to look bad by Reed. I, personally, thought he had more respect and nouse than Pellegrino seems to have with his team selections (Redmond, Forster) and his suspect substitutions. Some might say the Boufal sub paid off but he should have been on at the start for me.

3

helpineedsomebody added 16:29 - Oct 23 like vvd he gambled & he has lost his reputation now will he ever manage again maybe but not in the epl
1

BoondockSaint added 16:32 - Oct 23 I think he knew with Les selling our best two players every year and not spending to replace them, he would be the one to take the fall (see Puel), so he went to a club wiling to spend. Unfortunately for him, they did not spend wisely. He'll find new work very easily.
3

pete_boggs added 16:36 - Oct 23 Plenty of leisure time with £18m in the bank. He's laughing his head off and looked like he wanted out of there anyway, probably because he's never been surrounded by scousers before, who can blame him?
7

schatfield added 16:36 - Oct 23 '.......it started with the titanic'...hahahaha. That line made me laugh. I would have him back tomorrow as our manager too, not so much cos of Ron, but his brother Erwin who was the main string puller in day to day action.
4

ChristchurchSaint added 16:40 - Oct 23 Good article Nick. Half of me is delighted that karma has come back to bite him on the a**e, but the other half is very sad that a man who, as you said, could have been a legend with us, was so badly advised by his agent. Personally, I think that if he had stayed, we would have challenged the top six, and he would probably have ended up with his dream at Barca. Sadly, he will now probably go back to the continent and end up with a lower league club.

2

codge added 16:43 - Oct 23 KARMA.
1

saintpp added 16:54 - Oct 23 He wouldnt extend his contract more than the year remaining to keep his options open for a bigger job and rightly the board wouldnt agree with that.
3

Sanguin added 17:07 - Oct 23 I don't really begrudge Koeman going to Everton, but it was disappointing to see him talking about it as a move to a bigger club. Perhaps if he had stayed then he would be in line for to replace Wenger or still be linked with Barca, but we'll never know.
3

swindon_saint added 17:20 - Oct 23 The Titanic line is spot on. I would be making up a poster for the dressing room walls with a picture of Messrs Koeman, Lovren, Shaw, Chambers and Shaw with a simple heading "The grass isn't always greener." If I were VVD I certainly wouldn't be too eager to go to Liverhampton - Loveren is half the player he was with us - who is to say the same fate would not befall VVD. As for Koeman - I funnily do feel sorry for him. It is a kind of tragedy that in one wrong decision he has undone the fantastic managerial reputation he had built. That said he does only have himself, and perhaps his agent, to blame.

2

skiptonsaint added 17:21 - Oct 23 Add in the mess at Liverpool and you can see how difficult things can get if you mess up your transfer strategy. We all know we needed 3 good signings this summer including a quality attacking option but at least we have 2 quality players in so far and money to spend .. I wonder if we will look back on that Boufal goal as a turning point for our season. bit like that Pelle goal away at Millwall 3 years ago ? COYS

2

wessexman added 17:42 - Oct 23 When Koeman left Southampton.....the band kept on playing.
1

sidsaint added 17:45 - Oct 23 We may never know what really went on behind the scenes with him and Les Reed. I thought his 2 years with us took the club forward to a new level and he would have honoured a third year. As it was we pressurised him and he thought his ultimate aim of managing Barcelon would be better served by a more ambitious club such as Everton.All went well for a year but maybe he is not a good man manager as he seems to have upset a few and finally his tactics which I saw as his main strength also seemed to have left him.

-1

lemmsy added 17:58 - Oct 23 Good points on transfer policy skip ton saint. I think most would agree that the biggest hero in saints recent history is Marcus, whose business model & legacy was to have a self sustainable club. Les Reed May sell our best players but he also recruits our best players and managers following ml’s strategy
2

underweststand added 18:21 - Oct 23 Good article -can't disagree with the majority of it. Disappointing departure from Saints, but as they say..that's football. He can dry his eyes with the payoff he'll get from a deal that (reportedly) paid him £5 million a year although his reputation has been tarnished by the hypocrisy in the manner of leaving Saints, and his inability to motivate a team they spent £140 million on. He can probably spend a warmer winter in Portugal ..providing his house wasn't one of thsoe damaged by the forest fires, and hope that his successful time with Saints looks better on his CV than his miserable spell at Goodison. As for the list of "sad departures from Saints, I'd add Morgan Schneiderlin who never got to be a regular with United but will be remembered for his skill, effort and consistancy with Saints. If he doesn't become popular enough with the incoming Everton boss (whoever that is) ..he'll be off-loaded to a struggling Prem.side in January.

4

mattthelegend added 18:51 - Oct 23 Gutted really, thought he was doing a great job at Everton, hopefully they won’t get someone in to fulfill their potential.
1

montecristo added 19:07 - Oct 23 whats the betting Pellegrino will be next hes done nothing at Southampton. Get rid.Clueless..
-2

abingdonsaint added 19:39 - Oct 23 As I said at the time, he didn’t really want to go, but tried to call our bluff and lost. Made some money, but probably blown his Barca chance. Sad, but he made his bed. On a more general managerial point, I also said he is not in the same class as Pochettino, who was a far greater loss. Anyway, we march on, as they say.....
1

abingdonsaint added 19:48 - Oct 23 PS.....Everton a more ambitious club. Really? Easy to confuse ambition with money I suppose...
2

brownk added 20:23 - Oct 23 Mane and then Lukaku made him look a good manager! He got found out at Everton & he is a very ordinary manager. Remember we bombed out of the cups and Europe under him!
1

Blogs 31 bloggers

Exeter City Polls