Ronald Koeman facing the sack as Everton manager
Toffees boss is on borrowed time following fourth Premier League defeat
Ronald Koeman risks being booted out of his job after Everton suffered their fourth defeat in five Premier League matches.
The Toffees were beaten 1-0 at home by Burnley yesterday, leaving Koeman’s side two points and two places above the relegation zone.
Despite spending nearly £150million during the summer, Everton have scored just four Premier League goals this term and have only seven points.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Wayne Rooney has returned to Goodison Park, but the Merseyside club are reeling from the departure of goal machine Romelu Lukaku, who joined Manchester United.
Following yesterday’s defeat, Everton majority shareholder Farhad Mashiri said Koeman still had his total support, but according to The Sun, the manager is “on the brink” of being sacked. The Daily Mirror reports that Koeman himself admits his future is uncertain.
“It is not in my hands but I try to get the best out of the players,” he said.
“If there is no commitment and no aggression, that is maybe a reason to think about my future but I thank the players for their commitment.
“I can’t complain about my players, they did everything. Maybe we could create more but it is not so easy against Burnley.”
Meanwhile, former Chelsea and Celtic striker Chris Sutton believes the international break is the right time for Everton to ditch Koeman.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Sutton said: “Ronald Koeman’s days are numbered at Everton. In truth, I struggle to see him lasting the international break.
“Everton’s next game is a trip to Brighton. On this form, with Koeman in charge, would you have any confidence they would get a result?
“I do not like to see managers lose their jobs, particularly early in the season. Frank de Boer was given no time at Crystal Palace, but the situation is different with Koeman.
“He has had his feet under the table since the start of last season and has had money to spend. When you pay out close to £150m, you do not get the luxury of time.
“With expectations so high, Koeman needed players to hit the ground running. Instead, in their last ten games Everton have won just twice — a streaky win over Bournemouth and a victory over Sunderland in the League Cup.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - December 22, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - the long and short of it, trigger finger, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 hilariously spirited cartoons about the spirit of Christmas
Cartoons Artists take on excuses, pardons, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Inside the house of Assad
The Explainer Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez, ruled Syria for more than half a century but how did one family achieve and maintain power?
By The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City’s financial charges: what next for the Premier League champions?
feature The club is alleged to have breached financial rules around 100 times over a nine-year period
By Mike Starling Published