KOEMAN: I’VE BEEN IN EL BEFORE
Ron says torrid time at Valencia gives him tools to handle Everton’s slump
RONALD KOEMAN claims he can cope with the bad times at Everton because of his painful experience at Valencia.
Everton, tipped to challenge for Europe, are languishing in the bottom three but the Blues boss knows from his rollercoaster 20-year coaching career how to handle difficult situations.
The Dutchman learned greatly from his turbulent five-month spell at Valencia nearly a decade ago when he was caught in a vicious civil war involving the board, fans and players.
Koeman was sacked by the Spaniards, despite winning the Copa del Rey, as Valencia drifted towards the relegation zone but says that unhappy time in La Liga taught him so much.
“You can’t compare Valencia with Everton or any of my former clubs because that was really difficult,” said the Blues boss.
“It was a revolution with a new stadium that was not built. It was the wrong club at the wrong time.
“But even when it is a negative period, it is a learning experience. It was a bad experience but even a bad experience can be good for the future.
“You always have tough periods as a manager. You know that you can win today and then lose the next three games.
“Everything happens so fast but that’s OK.
“We had a difficult period with Southampton and we had a difficult period last season with Everton.
“Tell me one manager who doesn’t have difficult or tough periods. Every season you have a bad time – let’s hope we have put ours behind us and can go forward.”
Unlike his days at Valen- cia, Koeman has not lost the dressing room during Everton’s slump.
The Everton players have not lost faith in him and he has been delighted with their response since he held a team meeting in the wake of an embarrassing Europa League drubbing against Atalanta 10 days ago.
They performed much better at Manchester United on Sunday, even though they lost 4-0, before ending their losing streak with a comprehensive victory over Sunderland in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
Koeman wants another win over Bournemouth at Goodison Park today to maintain their revival.
“The most important thing, and this is for every manager in my opinion, is the connection with the players,” he said.
“If you feel you still have that good connection with the players and you think they are committed, then that is crucial.
“We came back late from Atalanta and I spoke to most of the players the following afternoon.
“I told them that we needed to show a different face to the one we showed in Italy against Atalanta.
“At least we saw against United a different team and that’s the way we have to continue this season.
“We won on Wednesday and let’s hope it will be positive from now on.”