RONALD-OH
Koeman has owner Moshiri in his corner.. but furious fans could still force him out
RONALD KOEMAN could come under increasing pressure at Goodison if fans’ protests continue to grow.
The Everton boss is safe for now, with the club aiming to take stock during the international break, and Blues’ major shareholder Farhad Moshiri insisting yesterday the Dutchman has his “total support”.
But the board are aware of the groundswell of opinion sweeping against Koeman among supporters, and they will not ignore those sentiments if results do not improve in the coming months. Club chairman Bill Kenwright experienced the feelings of the fans first hand after the depressing defeat by Burnley at the weekend.
He was met by a large group of passionate supporters expressing their dissatisfaction with the manager.
One eye witness suggested Kenwright spoke to the fans for five minutes or more, as they openly questioned whether the former Southampton manager was the right man to lead Everton forward, and urged the board to act.
Koeman has won just two of his last 10 games in all competitions, with those wins coming against Championship crisis club Sunderland and a Bournemouth side currently in the bottom three of the Premier League.
There are serious questions being asked about why he has favoured struggling players like Davy Klaassen ahead of young talent, such as Ademola Lookman and Tom Davies.
The board want to give the manager time, and there will be no knee-jerk reaction during the international break, especially given the tough programme Everton have endured in their opening fixtures.
Moshiri (right), who has pumped millions into the club, offered his backing.
But he also strongly indicated that he and Kenwright will not ignore the views of the fans.
And he admitted the season so far has not been good enough. “We have great fans and they deserve better,” said Moshiri.
“We know the honest and objective expectations of our supporters and we will not let them down.” Koeman will get the chance to turn things around when domestic action resumes in a fortnight. He will be supported by his players, who believe they are not too far from finding a winning formula.
Defender Michael Keane, who arrived in the summer for £25million, insisted it is down to him and his team-mates to ensure the fans don’t protest against the manager and put his job on the line.
“Everyone has to stand up and be counted. It’s down to us at the end of the day,” he said. “The manager puts a team out but we have to carry out his plans and his game plan. I feel like we did that pretty well against Burnley and I feel he will say the same.
“It’s about the final moment in the final third, creating chances – and taking them when we do get them.”
And Keane believes the players can take the pressure off Koeman. He added: “Things can change quickly. If we put three or four wins together, which we are capable of doing, then we will climb up the table.”