ROONEY’S ENGLAND CAREER
Good for him... and Everton, says Koeman
Ronald Koeman believes Wayne Rooney has made ‘a good decision for him and a good decision for everton’ after the player retired from international duty.
Rooney announced that his england career was over yesterday before jetting off to Croatia for his club’s europa league play- off second leg against Hajduk Split.
In a statement, the striker said he had discussed the matter with his manager before reaching his decision. However, speaking ahead of the match, Koeman revealed that he had not offered any advice but did welcome the move.
‘He’s in really good fitness and it’s always up to the player what is best to do,’ he said. ‘I would have respected it if he had made a different decision. I think it is a good decision for him and a good decision for everton.’
The Toffees manager, who also took a swipe at the Premier league over fixture scheduling, revealed that his input in the move was minimal.
‘Wayne spoke to me about this,’ he said. ‘He had a talk with the national coach and he made his decision. He thinks it’s the best for everton. of course I respect that. I don’t give him advice. I’m not the right person in his decision.’
Koeman added that england’s loss would be everton’s gain in what may be a gruelling season.
‘of course, if we reach the group stage of the europa league and international duty — that’s really a tough programme,’ he said.
Some have queried Rooney’s decision to call time on his england career while he is just seven caps short of breaking Peter Shilton’s record.
‘I don’t know about the record,’ Koeman said. ‘What he did for the national team was good enough. There’s a time to come and a time to go. He made that decision.’
everton hosted Hajduk last Thursday, played at manchester City on monday night and will visit Chelsea in Sunday’s early game which kicks off at 1.30pm, despite not being televised.
and Koeman agreed with Jose mourinho, who slated the Premier league for a lack of help for its sides in the europa league in march when eventual champions United were forced to play 72 hours after defeating Rostov.
‘maybe they don’t care enough for european football,’ he said.
‘I totally agree with Jose what happened to United last season. The same happened this week. We know the TV money decides a lot. It’s even more difficult to play Thursday when we play monday. The commercial side of football makes it even more difficult.’
everton won the first leg 2-0, but Koeman is taking nothing for granted as his side seek to secure a place in the tournament proper.
‘If we go on with a defensive attitude to keep the result, no,’ he said. ‘our way to play is to control the game, to score goals. We have a good advantage but still 90 minutes to go. It will be difficult.’
Koeman, who will decide this morning whether to start club record signing Gylfi Sigurdsson, admitted that qualification could make life in the Premier league more difficult but added that his side carried the weight of the club’s past on their shoulders.
‘everton’s history shows it is important to be part of europe,’ he said. ‘ We know it’s even more difficult.
‘We have enough players. We have some injuries which makes it tough, but we will fight and do the maximum to get into europe.’