Friday 13 May 2016 14:39, UK
Former England skipper Ray Wilkins has told Sky Sports News HQ he does not expect Ronald Koeman to leave Southampton for Everton this summer.
The ex-Chelsea and Manchester United star believes the new contracts handed to three Saints' players in recent days may be a tell-tale sign that their Dutch manager is also staying on the south coast.
Koeman is being linked to the vacant seat at Everton, who sacked Roberto Martinez on Thursday following their dismal end to the Premier League season.
However, the news that Fraser Forster, James Ward-Prowse and Virgil van Dijk are remaining at St Mary's may be down to a guarantee that Koeman will still be Southampton boss next season.
Goalkeeper Forster has signed a new five-year deal, while midfielder Ward-Prowse and defender van Dijk are staying for six more seasons.
Wilkins said: "Forster is an England international, and young Ward-Prowse has done well for the under 21s.
He may be looking for a bigger fish, and that's no disrespect to Everton or their supporters.
"Would they have sought guarantees from Koeman that he was going to remain there before signing their contracts?
"Both have improved under him and, in the modern day game, they may have wanted assurances he was staying."
And Wilkins believes Koeman may not view Everton as being a step up from Southampton, bearing in mind that the Toffees trail Saints by 16 points going into the final weekend of the season.
He added: "I think Southampton are the bigger club. He may be looking for a bigger fish, and that's no disrespect to Everton or their supporters.
"He's done a magnificent job. When he went there (in June 2014) they had just sold about five players - three went to Liverpool - and he has had to rebuild all over again.
"He sells players but brings in top quality players who are accustomed to our league. I think he's ready for a go at the top four."
Wilkins thinks the demise of Martinez maybe down to the team's failures when their opponents have possession.
He went on: "What I've seen of Everton the last couple of years, with the ball they are exceptional, reaching two cup semi-finals this year, so it's not all bad.
"With the ball good but without it not so good - or not as good as it should be. I think that has been their major failing.
"It's all about winning, and when you lose eight games at home, that's not good enough if you're a top club."
