http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/article4753828.ece
Anyone got a Times subscription and would be kind enough to copy and paste on here?
Ronald Koeman was finally confirmed as Everton’s new manager yesterday and the Dutchman wasted little time identifying where he wants to spend the £100 million-plus transfer kitty that he will receive at Goodison Park.
The Dutchman wants compatriot Tim Krul, who was recently relegated with Newcastle United but has not played since injuring his knee with Holland in October, to become his No 1 at Goodison Park next season after the departure of Tim Howard.
Koeman is also considering Axel Witsel, the Belgium midfielder. Witsel is expected to leave Zenit St Petersburg this summer after spending four years in Russia and Everton have been alerted to his availability. Roma and Stoke City are among the clubs also interested in the 27-year-old. Zenit want in excess of £30 million and that will not be out of Everton’s price range with Koeman set to have £100 million at his disposal from the expected sales of John Stones and Romelu Lukaku.
Having been appointed by Farhad Moshiri and Bill Kenwright, Everton’s majority shareholder and chairman respectively, Koeman believes that the Merseyside club is well placed to bring the duo’s “big project” to fruition.
Everton confirmed yesterday that Koeman had signed a three-year deal, thought to be worth about £6 million per season, after lengthy talks between the two clubs over a £5 million severance package. Koeman led Southampton to a record Premier League finish of sixth last season, but the south-coast club are now looking for their third manager in little more than three years, with Frank de Boer the early frontrunner.
The Southampton board started identifying possible replacements using the scouting software in what is known as the “Black Box” room at the club’s Staplewood training ground.
Inside the two-tiered room, which the club uses to look at possible player recruits, Southampton officials have been assessing the strengths and weaknesses of any potential new manager using giant touchscreen technology, as well as their record in professional football.
It is understood that De Boer is high on Southampton’s wanted list. The 46-year-old is a free agent after his six-year tenure at Ajax came to an end last month. The former Barcelona defender won the Eredivisie four times at Ajax and has made no secret about his desire to come to the Premier League.
Other candidates thought to be under consideration include Manuel Pellegrini, the recently departed Manchester City manager, and André Villas-Boas, formerly of Chelsea.
Eddie Howe, who was once the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Koeman, has indicated to Bournemouth that he will not be applying for the post.
Southampton would like to appoint their new manager by the first week of next month, when the players not on international duty return to training.
Koeman’s move led Artur Boruc, the former Southampton goalkeeper, to accuse the Dutchman of hypocrisy. The Poland goalkeeper tweeted a picture of Koeman with a quote from the manager speaking of his dismay at the lack of “loyalty” in football. “Players and managers are switching clubs more easily, mainly for the money,” read the quote. “I’d hate to become that kind of manager, only focused on short-term gains.”
Underneath, Boruc wrote: “No words for this one... #money #loyalty.”
