Ronald Koeman is likely to dash Everton’s hopes that he will succeed Roberto Martínez after indicating that he wants to stay at Southampton.
The Dutchman had been top of the shortlist to succeed Martínez at Goodison Park but told a press conference that he will sit down with the Saints board next week with a view to discussing his current deal before he goes on holiday.
“I mentioned last week, everybody knows I have one year more contract,” he said. “And we will sit together and we will analyse this season and we will talk about the future – and that’s what the news is.” Asked if that meant he was saying his future was with Saints he said: “Yes.”
He added: “It’s good news that the club likes to continue [with me]. Let’s do our job this weekend and there’s time enough next week to talk about the future of the club.” Southampton, who are seventh in the Premier League and chasing a Europa League place, are at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Everton had dangled the promise of the biggest transfer budget in their history after Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s new major shareholder, earmarked Southampton’s manager as his preferred replacement.
Should Koeman remain at Saints, Everton may turn their attentions to another Dutchman, Frank de Boer, who shares the same agent as Koeman in Guido Albers. Ajax announced on Thursday that De Boer is to leave in the aftermath of their failure to make it five titles in a row on the final day of the Eredivisie season, losing out to PSV Eindhoven.
Albers had said the 45-year-old “would love to join a club like Everton” but there has been no approach for the former Holland defender so far. De Boer will join Ajax on their end‑of‑season tour of China on Friday and part company on their return next Thursday.
Moshiri brought Martínez’s three-year reign to an end following a dire run of form, a second poor Premier League season and clear evidence of support for the manager draining from the fanbase, players and the boardroom, although the chairman, Bill Kenwright, was reluctant to part company with the former Wigan Athletic manager.
