Speaking to BBC Two’s The Premier League Show’s host Gary Lineker and as quoted by The Daily Mail, Everton manager Ronald Koeman has revealed the reason why he left Southampton, leaving our Saints fans wishing they could have done more.
The Dutch boss joined the Toffees in the summer from the south coast club with many of our resident Southampton fans here in the Transfer Tavern feeling pretty bitter towards him.
Now, though, speaking to Lineker, the former Barcelona player has tried to shed some light on the whole situation, blaming a lack of similarities as regards to a new contract.
“The main reason was that we did not agree about my last year of contract”, said the Dutchman.
”I mentioned to the club I would like to continue, and go into my last year then during the season we would have time to discuss about the future.
”There was no way for the club to do that, they came with the new offer and I was really disappointed about the offer to continue in Southampton. With Everton, you start to listen to the project, and I say ok, it’s a good time to move now, because it may be impossible to keep that level with Southampton.”
The news has certainly come as a bit of a kick in the teeth to our Saints fans who are sort of wishing they had offered Koeman a better deal to stay with the club.
Nevertheless, it’s a serious case of what might have been and many of them here in the bar are fairly happy with the job Claude Puel, Koeman’s replacement, has done so far.
Much like how Koeman replaced Mauricio Pochettino, the aforementioned Frenchman is doing a fine job at St. Mary’s.
Speaking of happy, our resident Toffees fans are liking a lot of what Koeman has had to say so far this season and genuinely think they can start winning trophies with him in the dugout.
Thoughts Everton and Saints fans? Let us know below…
