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Koeman: Contract impasse made it impossible to stay at Southampton

Ronald Koeman has cited disagreement with Southampton over his contract as being one of the main reasons why he elected to leave and take up the reins at Everton.

The Dutchman was formally unveiled to the media in his first press conference today and the first question he faced concerned the circumstances behind his somewhat controversial departure from the Saints.

Southampton fans have accused Koeman of a lack of a loyalty and reneging on his pledge to at least see out the final year of his contract but the 53-year-old suggested that the south coast club's insistence that he sign an extension to his deal instead made it impossible for the two parties to agree.

“I think the most important thing is to always look forward and not to look back, not in life and not in football,” Koeman said.

“After the season, I had a meeting with the board of the club and with [Technical Director] Les Reed and the first option was to go into my last year of my contract and that was not possible.

"They said it's not good because we like to know the future. I said it was not a problem because three times I signed a one-year contract with Feyenoord in Holland.

"I then got a proposal from Southampton and in my opinion, it was not what I liked to see. Les Reed said to me that it was not possible to go through my last year of contract without knowing what would happen after. That made it more difficult. 

“Through that whole story, Everton were showing interest and Southampton gave me permission to talk to Everton. I'm the new Everton manager and that is all I'd like to say about Southampton.

“My thanks to them. We had two fantastic seasons. Thanks to the players, thanks to the staff and to the fans but I'm at Everton now.”

Koeman said he was attracted to the Blues by the project and desire for success exhibited by Farhad Moshiri and the board.

Along with Chairman Bill Kenwright, the club's new major investor had identified the Dutch playing legend as their top choice to succeed Roberto Martinez.

“The most important thing is always if they show that ambition to grow, to win. Everybody knows the history of Everton. It's a big history and it's nice to be part of that — to win, to play European Cup football, to win titles.

“Everybody in the club is ready to take the next step and I am one of them.

“It's always easier to take that next step with a big club,” Koeman continued when asked if the move to Goodison was a step up from his time at St Mary's Stadium. “Everybody [here] knows the club better than I do but it's [been] very lovely from the beginning.

“When I meet the people here, it seems everyone is hungry — the people at the club, the fans, to come back and put Everton back where they need to stay and we will do everything to take the next step.”

 

• Ronald Koeman: ''I had to leave Southampton''

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