Month for underfire Koeman

the price. The Dutchman spent almost £150million last summer and added £300,000-a-week Wayne Rooney to his squad.

But grumblings have started among fans and amid the Goodison Park hierarchy.

And unless he oversees an upturn in results over the next three games – trips to Brighton and Leicester sandwich a home clash with Arsenal – the ex-Ajax and Barcelona star will be axed.

Despite being given a headstart on the Premier League by playing in Europe, the Toffees have spluttered along. An opening day triumph over Stoke City proved a false dawn and, had it not been for a late Oumar Niasse double against Bournemouth, that would have been the club’s only league success.

Bosses are unwilling to act after such a mammoth outlay. But losses to Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs, followed by an embarrassment in Atalanta and at home to Apollon Limassol, left a bad taste.