Everton appoint Ronald Koeman as new manager

Everton have announced the appointment of Ronald Koeman as their new manager on a three-year deal.

Koeman, who had been managing Southampton and had one year left on his contract at St Mary’s, replaces Roberto Martinez who was sacked last month. It is believed Everton have paid Saints around £5m compensation for the services of the former Netherlands international defender. The agreement will also see his brother and assistant manager Erwin plus fitness coach Jan Kluitenberg join Koeman at Goodison Park.

Martinez, who had three years remaining on his contract, led Everton to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Capital One Cup this season, but their poor league form – which saw them finish in 11th – ultimately proved his undoing and he left after nearly three years at the club.  The appointment ends the Dutchman’s highly successful two-year spell on the south coast, where he twice broke Southampton’s Premier League points record. They finished sixth last season, taking Saints into the Europa League.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright said: “We are really pleased to have secured the man who was our No 1 target from the moment we set out to appoint a new manager. Ronald has such a strong track record in the game, instantly commanding respect for what he achieved as a player and for his qualities and accomplishments as a manager. The hopes and aspirations that we all have as Evertonians are with him, as is our total support at Board, shareholder and fan level.”

Koeman himself said: “I am very excited to be Everton manager. I believe in the club, in the team, in the fans and in our ability to achieve things in the future. Everton is a club with a great history and real ambition and it is a proud feeling for me to be part of what we want to go and do, together with the chairman and Farhad Moshiri. I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the club and to preparing for a big season in the Premier League.”

A statement from Southampton read: “Southampton Football Club can today confirm it has accepted the resignation of First Team Manager Ronald Koeman, and completed negotiations with Everton over his move to Goodison Park. The search has already begun for the right appointment who can take the club to the next level and build on our track record of recent success, which culminated in a sixth-place finish in last season’s Premier League, as well as qualification for the group stages of the Europa League.Our focus now is to build on our long-term plan, and work with a new management team who share both the club’s and our supporters’ values and ambitions.”