Koeman says Everton will play attacking football via Royal Blue Mersey
Manager talks about his philosophy and vision
Ronald Koeman spoke with the press for the first time as Everton manager yesterday.
In an exclusive interview with Singaporean newspaper
The Straits Times, the Dutchman spoke about his vision for the club as well as holding court on a number of other topics.
"It is a great feeling to be Everton manager. From the beginning, I got the feeling from the chairman, Bill Kenwright, and from Farhad Moshiri, the club's major shareholder, that I was their No.1 choice and that is always a great feeling.
"Everton, of course, is a club with a really big history. In terms of league titles, we are the fourth most successful club in the history of English football with nine championships, as many as Manchester City and Chelsea combined. Now it is about what we can do to claim our own special part in this history.”
On his approach in the past with young players –
"For me, it's really important to get a good view about young players. I'm a manager who likes to give young players a chance to become part of the first team and Everton has a good academy with some very good young players. It's important for the club to give young players the chance to come through to the first team.”
On his competitiveness –
"My approach, my philosophy is very straightforward. I hate to lose and I like to have a really good relationship and respect with the players. Ultimately, the one who is responsible is the manager.
"I like to do things in a good, positive way because I believe, if you enjoy your job, you get the best out of yourself and we need to show that we are a strong team not just on the pitch but also off it. We will respect everyone.
"The best 11 will start and you win your place in the team every day by training and how you behave – that's very important.”
On his tactical mentality –
"I'm one of the Dutch coaches, of course, and Dutch coaches like to dominate games and not wait. I like to play attacking football and to press the opposition, to make it difficult. That's what we like to do and that's how we will do the (training) sessions. It's all about trying to dominate the game and giving the fans enjoyable football.”
On Everton’s strong fanbase –
"I like the fact that Everton is a community club with a strong community focus. We are a club of the people. This is important because you need this kind of thing to have a really strong club. Of course, the first team is the most important thing but it is also important to be involved in the academy and with our charity as well. I'm part of that now and I will support everybody in that because it makes us stronger together.”
On the high-profile coaches in the Northwest –
"So I am looking forward to this, course. It is interesting, too, because people are talking about the managers in the north west of England – me, Jurgen Klopp, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.
"Pep is a good friend of mine and it's nice to have those managers here because in the Premier League we try to have the best players and the best managers. Mourinho is back in the game and with Manchester United, it's nice to get maybe the best coach from Germany and then Pep Guardiola to Man City makes the Premier League more exciting for everybody.
"To be part of this is amazing and I'm very proud to be manager of Everton. We will do all we can to bring success here to the club."
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