Ronald Koeman wants feel-good factor back at Everton
Tuesday 14 June 2016 20:20, UK
Ronald Koeman is aiming to bring the feel-good factor back to Everton after being confirmed as the club's new manager.
The Dutchman, who had a year to run on his contract at Southampton, was appointed as Roberto Martinez's successor on Tuesday and signed a three-year deal at Goodison Park.
Martinez was sacked before the final match of the 2015/16 season following a disappointing Premier League campaign, with Everton finishing in 11th place.
However, Koeman is not dwelling on his new side's poor showing last season and hopes to emulate the club's glory days during his spell on Merseyside.
"Everton's history is a big one and we will try to reach what they did in the past. That is difficult but everything is possible," he told evertontv.
"The ambition is always to give the fans the spirit that they can see the team is fighting for everything and try to play good football - that is basic to get good results.
"We want to give them a good feeling every week about the team. We are looking forward to the start of the season.
"It is a great feeling (to be Everton manager), it is amazing.
"When I had the first contact with the chairman (Bill Kenwright) and (majority shareholder) Farhad Moshiri about the interest from Everton I was interested to listen to what project they wanted for the coming seasons.
"I am very pleased to be part of that and that is really enjoyable."
Sky sources understand Everton have paid Southampton around £5m to secure the services of the 53-year-old, who will also be joined at the club by his brother and assistant manager Erwin, plus fitness coach Jan Kluitenberg.
Koeman joined Southampton in June 2014 and steered the club to an eighth place finish in his debut campaign in the Premier League.
He led the Saints to a sixth-place finish last season, securing a place in the 2016/17 Europa League.
"We are really pleased to have secured the man who was our number one target from the moment we set out to appoint a new manager," Kenwright said.
"Ronald has such a strong track record in the game, instantly commanding respect for what he achieved as a player and for his qualities and accomplishments as a manager.
"The hopes and aspirations that we all have as Evertonians are with him, as is our total support at board, shareholder and fan level."
