John Stones is too big a risk for Euro 2016 says Sol Campbell
1 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By David Prentice
"For me, something drastic would have to happen for Stones to start."
John Stones celebrated his call up to England's Euro 2016 squad by declaring he and his team-mates are "in it to win it."  But former England stalwart Sol Campbell has warned that Roy Hodgson cannot afford to pick the young Everton defender because he still makes too many costly mistakes.  Chris Smalling is expected to take one of the spots in England's central defence but Roy Hodgson must decide whether to partner the Manchester United man with either Stones or the more experienced Gary Cahill.
Campbell, who played 71 times for England and was named in the FIFA team of the tournament after the 2002 World Cup, has no doubts whom he would pick.
Everton: Lukaku - I'm among the best'
“If you keep making mistakes at international level, you’re going to suffer because one mistake in a tournament and you can be out,” Campbell said.  “If you make mistakes at a domestic level, you have more time to learn. He is learning.  “He just has to understand there are moments to play the ball and moments to keep hold of the ball. He just needs to find that balance.
“I personally would go for Smalling and Cahill. I would go for the experience of those two guys.
“For me, something drastic would have to happen for Stones to start. You start with your most solid back four and go from there.”  Stones, however, is confident going into the tournament.
He said: “It’s tough because you don’t want to put pressure on it, but I’d like to think we’re among the contenders.  “I’ve been saying we’re quietly confident to people, but obviously all the big teams will feel the same.  “We’ve beaten France and Germany since we qualified, which is a big boost and something that will hopefully stand us in good stead if we come up against them at any point.  “If you’re going to a Euros, you’re going there to win it, because what’s the point if not?  “We’re proud as players and we want to make the nation proud too.”

Everton's Euro 2016 scouting mission - surprise stars the Blues may look at in France
1 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Kristian Walsh
With 24 teams, the possibility of a few 'under the radar' players emerging is high - but who will they be?
International tournaments are a curious event. For a month, the world turns to watch some of the best do battle.  And yet, so many times, the best fail to show. Instead, these competitions are remembered for their surprises, both team and individual.
Take the World Cup two years ago. Lionel Messi was voted player of the tournament and Germany lifted the trophy, but the likes of Keylor Navas, Yacine Brahimi, Costa Rica and Algeria – none of them household names at the time - will be associated with Brazil 2014.  Inevitably, transfer rumours will follow. No sooner has a player announced himself on the international stage, and he will be linked with a move to the Premier League.  With Farhad Moshiri’s investment, Goodison Park will be a popular place for the gossip columns.  Most of the rumours will come to nothing, of course, but that is simply the nature of silly season.
And, let’s face it, we all love it deep down, don’t we?
Maybe not. Still, time to be excited. A month of football is upon our doorstep, and a chance for Evertonians to watch players they have never seen before and think of what they would look like in royal blue.  One of them belongs to the club already. Shani Tarashaj, signed from Grasshopper Zurich for £3m in January, has been included in the Switzerland squad. Though unlikely to feature from the start, the 21-year-old playmaker’s performances in the Swiss league have impressed enough to be under consideration; for many Everton fans, it could represent the first real chance to see him in action.
Indeed, he could be a surprise star of the tournament. How nice that would be for the new man at Goodison.  If he is, he won’t be alone. There could be some fresh faces, some of them who could do a job on Merseyside next season.  Here, group by group, we look at players the Blues should be keeping an eye on in France.
Group A - France, Romania, Albania, Switzerland
Tarashaj aside, his team-mate Fabian Schar used to be regarded as centre back of some class. Formerly a Swiss bank intern, the 24-year-old rose to prominence with Basel, securing himself a move to the Bundesliga, with Hoffenheim, last summer. Schar failed to recapture the form that saw him become one of the most sought-after defenders in Europe, but if returning to form, he is classy on the ball, and would be a fine alternative to John Stones.
Romania wide man Gabriel Torje will be worth watching, too; his parent club Udinese have loaned him out for the past four seasons, most recently at Turkish side Osmanlispor.
Group B - England, Russia, Slovakia, Wales
In a group that contains England and Wales, shock stars would be few and far between. But lurking there, up front for Russia, is a player who scored as many Champions League goals as Lionel Messi this season – and more than Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Neymar. Zenit striker Artem Dyzuba bagged 15 goals in 30 league games in his debut season in St Petersburg, and also has a one-in-two record at national level. At 6 foot 5, his strength and aerial presence is evident, as is his finishing ability. If Romelu Lukaku needs back-up – or, indeed, replacing – then this could be Dyzuba’s chance to prove he can do it on the international stage.
Slovakia right back Peter Pekarik, who has a storming season with Hertha Berlin, would add much-needed depth to the defence. Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, now 30, remains between the sticks for CSKA Moscow but his performances will eventually secure him a move elsewhere, surely?
Group C - Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Northern Ireland
Do Everton lack a little bit of presence and leadership at the back? Phil Jagielka’s injury towards the latter stages of the season exposed the shallowness of the Blues’ defence, with both Stones and Ramiro Funes Mori showing their inexperience. Kamil Glik, captain of Poland, has both experience and talent in abundance. He has been at Serie A side Torino for five years now and is marked for his work in both boxes at set pieces. His team-mate, Kamil Grosicki, has been in good form on the Rennes wing this season, while striker Arkadiusz Milik is likely to only see his reputation rise if given a chance alongside Robert Lewandowski.  Plenty is known about Andriy Yarmolenko for Ukraine, as well as Germany and Northern Ireland as a whole, but keep an eye on Wigan striker Will Grigg, if he is given the opportunity up front for the home nation. His goals in League One suggest the ability to play at a higher level. He’s on fire.  Will Grigg's on fire
Group D - Spain, Czech Republic, Turkey, Croatia
Only three players made more assists in this season’s Europa League than Borek Dockal. The Sparta Prague playmaker, who also bagged four goals in Euro 2016 qualifying, will be one of the Czech Republic’s best attacking outlets and would suit Everton’s front four nicely. Marek Suchy, if starting, is thought to be a solid option in defence.  The Blues will need a new goalkeeper this summer and Daniel Subasic, Croatia’s no.1, will be worth watching, while team-mate Sime Vrsaljko – who plays his club football with Sassuolo – is a dynamic right back who is on the verge of breaking into the national team.
Turkey could be a dark horse in the competition, but Arda Turan could remind everyone of his qualities. The forgotten man at Barcelona, Turan would be perfect for the Premier League, with his industrious style out wide enough to endear him to the Gwladys Street.
Group E - Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Republic of Ireland
Swedish pair Jimmy Durmaz and Emil Forsberg could be given a chance to excite out wide in France. Durmaz bagged seven goals for Olympiakos this season, while Forsberg managed eight with German second-tier champions RB Leipzig. Both, given their style and eye for goal, will grab attention this summer.  A couple of injuries in defence for Belgium might see Jordan Lukaku, younger brother of Romelu, line up alongside the Blues striker in France. The elder Lukaku is likely to start for Marc Wilmots side, but Michy Batshuayi will impress up front if given the chance, and would be a good alternative to the wantaway Everton man.
Braga midfielder Rafa Silva
Group F - Portugal, Iceland, Austria, Hungary
Austria are tipped for a big tournament after a strong qualifying campaign, and Martin Harnik was the man whose double – against Sweden - helped confirm their place in France. The winger was relegated with Stuttgart this season, so will have plenty of admirers. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson was an ever-present for Iceland during qualification, scoring three goals in 10 appearances, and would be a good back-up option for plenty of Premier League sides.  For Portugal, Rafa Silva has had a superb campaign for Braga, and the tricky winger could light up Euro 2016 if given the platform to do so by coach Fernando Santos.

John Stones is "brilliant" and must start in France says Michael Owen
1 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By David Prentice
'Stones the only England player who could walk into Barcelona’s team tomorrow.'
JOHN STONES has found an unlikely champion as debate is now hotting up over England’s starting XI for Euro 2016.
With only three central defenders chosen by Roy Hodgson for the tournament, pundits are speculating whether it will be Cahill and Smalling, or Everton’s John Stones with either the Chelsea or the Manchester United defender in France.
But former Liverpool star Owen is adamant.  “I’m picking Stones to partner Smalling in the opener because he’s brilliant,” he said.  “It really angers me that people have blindly assumed he’s a player prone to mistakes.  “Name me an England centre-back who hasn’t made an error this season? Or any nationality for that matter?  “It seems to be accepted by a lot of people that he is a liability and I just don’t understand it.  “I’ve watched him many times this season and he’s been fantastic for so much of it.
Play Euro 2016 Fantasy Football  “Chris Smalling scored an own goal in United’s final league game and most people accepted it as just one of those things. If Stones had done that, everyone would be labelling it as yet another mistake.  “It’s unfair. He has great positioning, excellent on the ball, he’s strong, agile, and brilliant in the air.  “For me he’s the only England player who could walk into Barcelona’s team tomorrow. The only one who right now, could play for the best club side in world football. He’s that good.”  Michael Owen was speaking at the launch of Sportlobster's 1million euros predictor. Link

Everton England duo Barkley and Stones train as Euro 2016 preparations step up
1 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Kristian Walsh
England will meet Portugal in their final warm-up game before the tournament tomorrow, before Barkley, Stones and team-mates head to France
Everton's England duo took to training at London Colney as the countdown to Euro 2016 continues.
Ross Barkley and John Stones were both named in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad on Tuesday, after Barkley was reportedly one of those under consideration to be left out.  Thankfully for the 22-year-old, Hodgson included him in his plans, and now prepares for the friendly with Portugal at Wembley on Thursday.  Stones, meanwhile, is looking to force his way into his country's first-choice centre back partnership, vying with Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill for the starting spots.  England will meet Portugal in their final warm-up game before the tournament tomorrow, before Barkley, Stones and team-mates head to France.  The Three Lions begin their campaign against Russia, in Marseille, on June 11.

Generous Everton hero Duncan Ferguson: 'I've always felt a big part of the community'
1 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Chris Beesley
Everton icon Ferguson donates a further £20,000 to club's charity
Duncan Ferguson chats to fans
Goodison icon Duncan Ferguson has spoken of his sense of feeling part of the Blues family after donating a further £20,000 to Everton in the Community.
The former centre-forward, who is now a coach at the club, chose Everton’s official charity as one of the groups to profit from his benefit year.  In additional to supporting other causes across the region, the Scot had already helped purchase a Variety Club of Great Britain Sunshine Coach for Everton in the Community, meaning the latest gesture takes the total donated to the charity from his testimonial up to £65,000.  Ferguson handed over the £20,000 cheque to Everton in the Community staff after making a surprise visit to one of the charity’s programmes in the city, Active Me, at All Saints Church Hall in Kensington.  Ferguson said: “I’ve always felt like a big part of the community and tried to help where I can.  "All thanks to the Everton fans and the testimonial committee - we’ve donated altogether £65,000 to Everton in the Community and there have been other donations (to additional charities) as well.
“Everton in the Community has won awards after awards, so all credit to the team there. They do some fantastic work and if I can support them in any way I can - even if it’s a small part - I love to do that.
“I’ve really enjoyed my testimonial year. It was a fantastic match (against Villarreal) and a lot of the function events have been run very professionally by Ray Parr and Lorraine Whitaker from the Testimonial Committee. We’ve raised a lot of money of a lot of worthwhile causes across the region."
Duncan Ferguson presents Everton In the Community chief executive Dr Denise Barrett-Baxendale and EITC participants with a cheque  The Active Me programme, ran in partnership with the Liverpool Inclusive Sports Project, is a three-year initiative delivered by the club’s charitable arm which aims to give disabled people the chance to participate in inclusive sport and physical activity opportunities.
Ferguson added: “I’ve spent a bit of time with the kids to try and encourage them to stay healthy and fit, to keep on taking up sport.  “It was great to see so many Evertonians. There were a few Reds as well! I really enjoyed my day.”  Fans can support Everton in the Community by purchasing a pair of limited edition Everton-branded earphones.  The money raised from the sale of the limited edition earphones priced at £20 will enable the charity to continue their work across Merseyside. To order your earphones visit evertonfc.com/bluefamily

Everton should give Ronald Koeman ultimatum - then focus on Unai Emery
1 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Greg O’Keeffe
Greg O'Keeffe on why Everton can't afford to let waiting game continue for too long
Everton are being thorough in their search for the right man to become their new manager. Extremely so.  Nobody would argue with the sagacity of that approach. As the saying goes, 'Act in haste, repent at Leisure'.  Bill Kenwright and Farhad Moshiri are leaving no stone unturned, no avenue - regardless of the audacity - unexplored, as they seek the answer.  It is not an easy process, with most desirable candidates coming with significant challenges to overcome.  According to the bookies, the leader of the field changes on a weekly basis.
Everton's next manager?
From Manuel Pellegrini, to Frank De Boer. From Ronald Koeman to Unai Emery. With no word officially from the Blues, an ocean of speculation in between, and only one contender - De Boer - publicly up for it, the process for supporters is dizzying.  Everton aren't to blame for that. They don't want to do their business in public and why should they?  And yet tomorrow marks three weeks since Roberto Martinez's contract was terminated. The European Championships begin in just nine days.  The transfer window opens in a month. The clock is ticking.  Unlike Manchester United, who sacked Louis Van Gaal after the FA Cup final on May 21 and appointed Jose Mourinho six days later, the Blues did not have the benefit of pre-planning.  Martinez's reign, although beset by problems for most of last season, unravelled so spectacularly towards the end that it left the Goodison board with no option.
The difficult nature of the decision to sack the Catalan is a matter of record.
Everton didn't take the decision to dispense of Martinez lightly
Unlike elsewhere though, it's unlikely they spent time in advance sounding out his successor.
So here we are in the not ideal but not quiet panic-button territory of June beginning with the Goodison ship rudderless.  Everton's Premier League rivals are already doing deals for new players, lining up other targets and finalising their Euros scouting hit-lists.  The Blues, with no chief scout either, will be less equipped to do likewise.  It won't be long either before other clubs come calling for players such as John Stones and Romelu Lukaku. Who will be the man to persuade them to stay?
So what of the men Everton want? Ronald Koeman, a priority name on their list, is seemingly out of reach if not completely off limits. Unai Emery, another enticing prospect, similarly sought after but employed elsewhere by a club which would very much like it to remain that way.
Make your mind up time for Koeman?
Koeman seems to be the harder gem to dislodge. As the ECHO reported last week, a great amount of money would be required to salvage Everton's fading hopes of landing him.
So be it. It might not be panic time, but it is approaching the time that the Blues ramped-up the process.
The Dutchman should be made an offer he can't refuse. If he refuses it anyway, then move on.
His name must be scratched off the list so Kenwright and Moshiri can then focus exclusively on luring Emery and maybe too his formidable sporting director at Sevilla, Monchi.  Sevilla sporting director Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo aka Monchi (right) with Sevilla manager Unai Emery  Things change fast in football. Nobody is suggesting they get too hasty in issuing ultimatums or hissy fits which could mean they lose out on the right man.  But the longer their search drags on, the more potential impact it could have on their hopes of a strong start to the 2016/17 campaign.  To wit: Put in on Ronny's toes. Is he in or out? Then onwards.

Is former Everton captain Stubbs edging closer to Blues return?
2 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Chris Beesley
Ex Everton skipper's decision to quit Hibernian for Rotherham could point to long-term Goodison goal
As Everton intensify their search for Roberto Martinez’s replacement, former captain Alan Stubbs who has been talked about as a potential Blues boss of the future has made an intriguing move in his own managerial career by joining Rotherham United.  Earlier this month Stubbs steered Hibernian to their first Scottish Cup triumph since 1902 – the year the Second Boer War finished – and having written himself into folklore within the green half of Edinburgh, the easiest decision would have been to stay put and bask in his glory.  Crucially the Kirkby man had been unable to deliver promotion back to the Premiership for Hibs but having been up against neighbours Hearts and Rangers in his first season and the Glasgow giants again last term, he’d have surely had a largely obstacle-free route back to the top in the forthcoming campaign followed by the chance to subsequently re-establish the club in the top flight.
Tough route to the top
Stubbs has never enjoyed a straightforward path to success though.
After starting his playing career at Bolton Wanderers, a move to follow Bruce Rioch to Arsenal never came off and he tried his luck with Celtic.  Stubbs’ wholehearted style ensured he proved a popular figure at the Bhoys but his world was turned upside down by the results of a routine drugs test after a Scottish Cup final defeat to rivals Rangers confirmed he was suffering with testicular cancer. 
He battled back twice from that disease to pick up a second title win with Martin O’Neill’s side in 2001 and as a free agent that summer the lifelong Evertonian finally made his dream move to the Blues in his 30th year.  Stubbs would remain at Goodison for seven years as a player – but even that was interrupted by a bizarre half-a-season stint at Sunderland after failing to agree a new deal in the summer of 2005 after skippering the side to a highest-ever Premier League finish of fourth.  A similarly brief spell at Derby County followed in 2008 before the magnetism of Everton pulled him back again for a five-year stint on the club’s coaching staff. 
Moving on up
Overlooked for Martinez in 2013 after being interviewed as an internal candidate to be David Moyes’ successor, Stubbs returned north of the border to cut his managerial teeth.  So with the prospect of reviving the Hibees into a major force while based in Scotland’s majestic capital city, why has Stubbs decided to decamp to the South Yorkshire town best known for producing mustachioed national institutions ‘The Chuckle Brothers’ and David Seaman?  Arguably their biggest contribution to football was referee Howard Webb but he can’t help the Millers.
Although the club have undergone something of an image change in recent years, moving away from their long-time home to build their more glamorous-sounding New York Stadium – via a difficult stint at Sheffield athletics venue the Don Valley Stadium – cynics would argue that their current position in the bottom half of the Championship is the limit of their natural expectations.
With bigger neighbours Sheffield Wednesday – beaten in the Championship play-off final on Saturday and condemned to a 17th consecutive season outside the top flight – and Sheffield United – currently languishing in the third tier, both absent from the Premier League, what hope do little Rotherham have?
Big ambitions  Never one to shirk a challenge though, Stubbs evidently has grand ambitions for the supposed minnows.  A return to England instantly has Stubbs operating at a higher level with far greater exposure.  Away trips include a visit to Newcastle United’s 52,338 capacity St James’ Park as opposed to Dumbarton’s 2,020 Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium.  Bournemouth have proven that big isn’t always beautiful and under the stewardship of another boyhood Blue Eddie Howe they have established themselves in the Premier League based at their 11,464 Vitality Stadium which is smaller than Rotherham’s home.  While Yorkshire’s traditional powerhouses such as the aforementioned Steel City pair and Leeds United are floundering, other outfits from the extremities of the White Rose county are actually on the up with both Hull City and Middlesbrough, traditionally in the East and North Ridings both back in the Premier League next term which could provide some encouragement to Stubbs.
As someone who had to wait such a relatively long time in his playing career to make it to Everton, Stubbs is taking patient but sure strides on the long road back to Goodison as a manager and will see this latest move as a step in the right direction.

Roy Keane tells former Celtic teammate Aiden McGeady to up the ante ahead of Euro 2016
2 Jun 2016   By Dailyrecord.
The former Hoops midfielder endured a nightmare season after being frozen out at Everton before joining Sheffield Wednesday on loan in late January.  
ROY KEANE last night insisted Aiden McGeady must raise his game if he wants to play any part in Ireland’s Euro 2016 opener against Sweden.   The former Celtic midfielder endured a nightmare season after being frozen out at Everton before joining Sheffield Wednesday on loan in late January. But while he featured in 13 games, he was axed for the play-offs and played no part in the Owls’ pre-Wembley
preparations, training with Ireland instead.  Handed a start in Tuesday’s 2-1 shock defeat to Belarus, McGeady failed to impress but still made Martin O’Neill’s 23-man squad.
But Keane has warned McGeady that he is not cutting it and needs to up his game to feature against Sweden in 11 days’ time.   The Irish assistant said: “My reaction to Aiden’s performance? He can do a lot better but maybe that’s the story of Aiden’s career. He needs to play better than he did against Belarus to force his way into the starting 11.  “He has had a taste of football at  Sheffield Wednesday. He did take action by leaving Everton.  “A lot of people do sit around and say that’s not the right move for me.”
But McGeady was not the only player Keane put a rocket under after claiming Jeff Hendrick and Daryl Murphy must improve from the Belarus game.  Both have been dogged by injuries this season and for Murphy it was his first match in nine weeks – but he’s still searching for that illusive first Irish goal.
Keane said: “If you’re standing still in this game you’re going backwards. The two players you mentioned, they’ve got to up the ante.  “Sometimes we make excuses for players that have not played football.  “You can forgive match sharpness but you’ve got to get yourself in a good shape, eat properly, prepare properly.  “You’re playing international football, control the bloody ball. Pass it and move to your mates. If you lose it, run back.”  On Tuesday night’s defeat to Belarus, Keane added: “Everyone is entitled to an off night and that’s what it was.  “We have a different starting 11 against Sweden and if we have an injury, the lads can come in.  “I’m worried when players aren’t carrying knocks. You’re supposed to be carrying knocks by tackling people, hitting them at pace. Hitting them hard. It’s not chess you’re playing.”  Manager O’Neill named his 23-man squad immediately after the game and included skipper Robbie Keane and James McCarthy despite both being injured.  McCarthy, who has a hamstring problem, warmed up with the rest of the squad yesterday morning then went off to resume work with the physios. However, Robbie Keane is not expected to train until the middle of next week at the earliest because of a calf injury.  Roy said: “I’d say probably the middle or end of next week. There’s no need to rush Robbie.  “It’s not ideal he’s missing training but do we think he will be available for the Sweden game? The answer is yes.”

Everton transfer rumours: Blues hire 'super agent' in Emery chase
2 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Joe Rimmer
A round-up of transfer rumours and speculation from around the web
Everton continue to work on recruiting a new manager, with Blues fans losing patience with the time taken by the club in installing a new boss.  But never fear, for the club have the best man on the case - that's if you believe reports in Spain this week.  Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reports that Everton are enlisting the help of Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes in their attempts to bring Unai Emery to Goodison Park.  Mendes is the man responsible for Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho, and he is said to be a close friend of Farhad Moshiri.  They say that Emery was all set for a stay at Sevilla, but the speculation of Monchi’s future has confused matters.  They write: “Jorge Mendes has been entrusted with the mission of convincing the Basque coach with a juicy economic proposal and an attractive project.”  Interesting - especially with reports in Holland this morning claiming the Blues have made Ronald Koeman their top target.  Manager or no, Everton continue to be linked with players.
And this morning they are linked with a deal for 18-year-old striker Irvin Cardona.  The Monaco forward has just one year remaining on his contract, but France Football say the Blues are hoping to tempt the youngster away.

D-Day looms as Everton target Ronald Koeman returns from holiday
2 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By David Prentice
Southampton manager back from family break in the Caribbean
Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf is reporting that Ronald Koeman is Everton’s number one choice to replace Roberto Martinez - and that the Southampton boss will make a decision on his future when he returns from holiday in the Caribbean this weekend.   Holland’s largest daily newspaper claims that Farhad Moshiri has set his heart on luring the Dutch legend to Goodison and will offer him a huge salary and an enormous transfer kitty to “storm the transfer market.”  And the Blues will only consider an alternative if Koeman rejects their advances.  Koeman is currently negotiating an extension of his contract as Southampton boss, which currently runs to 2017.  The former Ajax, Benfica and Valencia boss recently swapped agents, replacing Guido Albers with Rob Jansen from the Dutch-based Wasserman agency.  Jansen has been negotiating with Saints’ executive director of football Les Reed, who revealed that talks have been moving positively.  But Everton are hoping their attractive offer can turn Koeman’s head.

Everton majority investor Farhad Moshiri already has deal in place to buy more shares
2 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Bill Gleeson
Companies Registry documents show that Moshiri has option to buy further shares
Farhad Moshiri has secured the right to increase his stake in Everton , the ECHO can reveal.
Last February, Mr Moshiri announced that he had bought a 49.9% stake in the Goodison Park club for a reported £87.5m, but this was not enough to give him a majority stake, a fact that has puzzled many fans and financial experts.  Mr Moshiri bought his shares from Robert Earle, Bill Kenwright and Jon Woods, with Mr Earl selling his entire holding while Mr Kenwright and Mr Woods sold part of their holdings.  At the time, Mr Moshiri stayed silent about whether he intended to increase his stake at any point in the future, something many observers say would be necessary before the Iranian born billionaire would invest large sums of money in Everton’s playing squad or a new stadium.  The ECHO can now reveal that Mr Moshiri has in fact already clinched a deal that gives him the right to buy more Everton shares.
Documents regarding Blue Heaven Holdings
Mr Moshiri holds his stake in Everton through an Isle of Man based company called Blue Heaven Holdings. Documents lodged at The Isle of Man’s Companies Registry show that Mr Kenwright, Mr Woods and another long-time Everton shareholder, Arthur Abercromby, have already granted Mr Moshiri the option to buy more of their shares.  The Isle of Man records also show that Mr Moshiri has granted charges over the assets of Blue Heaven Holdings that guarantee that the three sellers will receive payment for their remaining shares, should he exercise his option to buy. In effect, these documents reveal that the deal to transfer more shares to Mr Moshiri has already been lined up, with details, such as the price to be paid, already agreed.  Nevertheless, the Blue Heaven Holdings documents filed at the Isle of Man registry do not specify how many shares are covered by the separate option agreement. Instead this and other matters are set out in a separate, private agreement that is not on the public record but the ECHO understands that it covers all of the outstanding shares currently in the ownership of the three sellers.  If all of the three sellers’ outstanding shares are bought by Mr Moshiri, it would take his stake to just over 76% of the club. That would be enough to give him undisputed control over all of the affairs of the club.  It is not clear why the four parties have decided to structure the deal in this complicated way.  Experts say that the exercise of Mr Moshiri’s option might depend on certain events coming to pass, but this could be anything from personal tax matters to the granting of planning permission for a new stadium.  “There could be one of a hundred reasons,” said James Dow, a corporate finance adviser who has previously worked for Everton and other major European clubs.
Documents from the Isle of Man Companies Registry
Mr Dow, whose corporate finance brokerage has bought and sold many businesses, added: “It’s unusual.  “You would normally have these arrangements when somebody’s committed to a purchase but something is not yet sorted out or somebody has not yet fulfilled a promise.  “It might be related to stadium funding or the selling shareholders may want to keep an emotional attachment to the club and continue as a shareholder to justify an executive role.”
Referring to Mr Kenwright staying on as Everton’s chairman, Mr Dow said: “It may suit him (Mr Moshiri) to have somebody else running the club because he might not want to give the time and resources or he might be anxious and want a gradual transition while he establishes his own credibility or acceptability among supporters.  “He has no previous affinity with the club and he might want a transition phase.”
Russian Oligarch and Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov, a close friend of Moshiri's
Some observers, particularly in the Russian media, have speculated that the complex deal structure could reflect the fact that Mr Moshiri is holding the shares on behalf of his long-time business partner, multi-billionaire Alisher Usmanov.  However, Mr Usmanov has previously stated his intention to keep hold of his 30% stake in Arsenal for many years to come, thereby ruling out his involvement in Everton.
The agreement between Mr Moshiri and the other three Everton shareholders is called a put and call option. It’s a two-sided agreement that, as well as allowing Mr Moshiri to acquire more shares in Everton, also allows the sellers the option of forcing Mr Moshiri to acquire more of their shares.
However, it’s thought unlikely the sellers would exercise this option.

Monchi: Who is Everton's sporting director target?
2 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Kristian Walsh
A look at the Sevilla man who the Blues would like to bring to Goodison Park
Everton’s interest in appointing a sporting director leads to one obvious candidate: Monchi.
For a name so easy to remember – two syllables, short for Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo – the Sevilla sporting director has operated under the radar for the best part of 15 years.  Not longer. After the Spanish club secured their third consecutive Europa League trophy, and their fifth in 10 years, the spotlight has fallen upon the man predominantly in the shadows.  Monchi, a former goalkeeper at the club, has been sporting director at Sevilla since 2000. He took charge with the club in the second-tier, as well as financial ruin.   Since then, his work – the headline of which is player recruitment and sales – has seen them move back into La Liga, establish themselves both domestically and in Europe, as well as reach 14 finals in 10 years.  But he is now looking to move on; nothing coincidental about his raised profile as he seeks pastures new. Everton, under Farhad Moshiri, are also contemplating appointing a sporting director. Better still, Monchi is close to Blues managerial target Unai Emery, whom has led Sevilla to that treble Europa success.  A match made in heaven? Perhaps not. Monchi has been told by Sevilla that any club who wants to prise him will have to pay his hefty buy-out clause. Add that to big competition for his signature, and the Blues would have a lot of work to do if they wanted to follow up their interest.  Still, no surprise Monchi would be considered. His record in terms of signing players is superb. Here are some of the stars he brought to Sevilla in the past 15 years.
Dani Alves
Bought for: £400k from Bahia
Sold for: £26.5m to Barcelona
The marauding right back was snapped up from Brazilian side Bahia in 2003, first on loan, before buying him on a permanent deal. He enjoyed nearly 250 appearances for the club and established himself as his country’s first-choice right back.
Julio Baptista
Bought for: £2.6m from Sao Paulo
Sold for: £15m to Real Madrid
‘The Beast’ arrived after three years in his homeland, and was transformed when joining the La Liga side. Playing as an attacking midfielder, his reputation grew, and his two years there secured him a move to giants Real.
Ivan Rakitic
Bought for: £2m from Schalke
Sold for: £13.5m to Barcelona
The classy Croatian was an astute signing from the Bundesliga. Despite a solid three-and-a-half seasons in Gelsenkirchen, he was snapped up for a tiny fee. He would go on to become a midfield general in Spain, captaining the club to Europa League glory.
Seydou Keita
Bought for: £3m from Lens
Sold for: £10m to Barcelona
Another player sold to Barcelona, and one who would go on to lift the Champions League with them. The Mali midfielder enjoyed five years with Lens in France, and was handed the armband. That alerted Monchi, who snapped him up, before selling him on after just a season.
Carlos Bacca
Bought for: £5.25m from Club Brugge
Sold for: £22.5m to AC Milan
Two excellent seasons in Belgium, including the 2012-13 campaign which saw him score 25 in 35 league games, secured the Colombian a move to La Liga. He was a revelation there, scoring at a rate of just under 1-in-2 and lifting the Europa League twice. He was a man in demand last summer.
Grzegorz Krychowiak
Bought for: £4.1m from Stade Reims
Sold for: N/A
Polish midfielder has been a key component in the Sevilla side for the last few seasons, establishing himself as one of the best defensive-minded midfielders in Europe. He remains at the club but has been linked with a big-money move away.

Everton manager latest: Koeman and Monchi dream team targeted
2 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Greg O’Keeffe
Everton keen to land big name duo as Moshiri thinks big
Monchi & Ronald Koeman
Everton want to team Ronald Koeman with renowned Sevilla sporting director Monchi in an ambitious twist to their search for a new manager.  The Blues have renewed hope of luring Southampton boss Koeman to Goodison and are pushing hard to prise Monchi from Seville.  They are prepared to offer the Dutchman in the region of £6m-a-year to take the job, and won't blink at the prospect of paying the £3.8m it would require to buy Monchi out of his contract at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.
Koeman arrived home from holiday last night, and reports emerged from Holland this morning claiming that him and agent Rob Jansen were due on Merseyside to talk terms later today.
That is understood to be wide of the mark however, with both Everton chairman Bill Kenwright and majority investor Farhad Moshiri based in London.
London-based Dutch TV correspondent Tim De Wit's tweet
It will remain a challenge to convince first-choice Koeman that his future lies at Goodison, with the possibility of a shot at the Arsenal job on the horizon if he stays at St Mary's and maintains the Saints upward trajectory in the Premier League.  But it seems his head has been turned by the scale of Moshiri's ambition, with the Iranian billionaire determined to make statements of intent in his managerial appointment and subsequent activity in the transfer market this summer; when world-class names will be targeted with a huge budget.

Everton to face Manchester United for Wayne Rooney testimonial on August 3
2 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
 By Greg O’Keeffe
Boyhood Everton fan Rooney only wanted Blues as opposition for big game
Everton will travel to Manchester United for Jose Mourinho's first game at Old Trafford as they take part in Wayne Rooney's testimonial on August 3.  The high-profile friendly fixture, which will take place a week-and-a-half ahead of the new season, was reportedly agreed by Mourinho within 24 hours of his appointment.  Boyhood Blue Rooney has long wanted to face the Toffees for his testimonial, and details of the game were initially leaked in January.  Now it has emerged that Mourinho has no objection to the timing and the game will go ahead with the Blues blessing also secured.
Rooney, who left Merseyside to join the Red Devils for £27million in the summer of 2004, will face his old club ahead of his 13th campaign at United.  The United skipper, who has scored 245 goals in 520 appearances for the club, is still an Everton supporter and has taken his son Kai to watch the Blues at Goodison.
Wayne Rooney and son Kai at Goodison
The England captain also returned to Merseyside last summer to feature in Duncan Ferguson's testimonial against Villarreal.  It marked a thawing in relations with Toffees fans who were upset at what they felt was his premature departure, and the 30-year-old was applauded during the 2-1 defeat.
Speaking last August, Rooney said: 'It was nice to come back here. The fans gave me a great reception which I was delighted with.
'Most importantly it was a big day for Duncan. He really enjoyed the game and it was nice to see him on the pitch again.'  All the profits from the fixture, which is expected to be televised and most likely be a sell-out, will go to the Wayne Rooney foundation and then be distributed to four designated charities
They are Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, the Claire House Hospice, Manchester United Football Club Foundation and the NSPCC, of which Rooney is an ambassador. 

Everton announce record season ticket sales for 2016/17
2 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By David Prentice
Everton have already filled eight out of every 10 seats at Goodison Park
Everton fans have bought season tickets in record numbers for 2016/17
EVERTON are celebrating record season ticket sales - two weeks before the fixtures have even published for the 2016/17 campaign.  Blues fans have snapped up almost 31,000 seats for the new season - with eight out of every 10 seats now filled.  With two months of sales still to go, the Blues have topped their previous highest total of 2014/15 by almost 1,500.  That figure was achieved on the back of Roberto Martinez's side securing a record high Premier League points tally, while this summer the Blues are still to appoint a new manager and haven't signed any new players yet.  The current total of season tickets sold represents almost 3,500 more than the equivalent period last year, approaching a 15% increase across both season ticket and hospitality sales, and stands at 7,700 more than the total number from five seasons ago.   Chief Executive Robert Elstone said: “We would like to thank our supporters for committing their support to the club for the 2016/17 season. These numbers reflect the dedication of our fans, an appreciation of the club’s approach to ticket prices and of course, anticipation for the season ahead.  “Back in March when we announced the new pricing structure, our aim was to give something back to our fans and demonstrate how much we appreciate their support.  "We acknowledged the amazing new TV deal and felt it only right that we shared some of that uplift with our fans.
Play Euro 2016 Fantasy Football
"It is extremely pleasing to see such a positive response and I am particularly delighted to see that almost one-in-four of our record sales figure are young season ticket holders.  "The new pricing structure proves we have made football more affordable for all, and significantly so for our younger fans.  "It's really pleasing that we're changing the age profile of fans at Goodison and making a positive and enduring contribution to the future of the club.”

Bomber's command performance is a real life blockbuster
3 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By David Prentice
Dave Prentice Column: Life didn't imitate art art at Goodison, it bettered it
Tony Bellew falls to his knees as his trainer David Coldwell runs into the ring after the Scouser knocked out Ilunga Makubu to win the vacant WBC Cruiserweight World Championship contest at Goodison Park, home to Everton Football Club.  Life can sometimes imitate art. But reality always has the potential to be more dramatic, more moving and more downright unbelievable than anything an author or a screenwriter can produce.  And Sunday night was riotously real at a vibrant and kaleidoscopic Goodison Park.  In the movie world Tony Bellew played the part of a troubled Scouse boxer, who won a split decision to retain his world title at a heavily airbushed Goodison.
All very watchable, all very entertaining and all very Hollywood.
But in the real world, the story which unfolded for the 33-year-old right here in the city pounded the celluloid version comatose.  “This isn’t a movie,” warned Congolese challenger Ilunga Makabu as he weighed in for a world title showdown with Bellew. He was right. It was much, much better.
Goodison Park was a venue transformed. It was colourful, atmospheric and partisan. Even the temperamental Bank Holiday weather played its part.
The sun shone, the fans flocked and the sense of excitement and anticipation grew with every fight of an excellent card.  But it was the main attraction which claimed a truly special place in Merseyside sporting folklore.  Boxing ring entrances are always spectacular. Naseem Hamed once came into a ring on a flying carpet.  But Tony Bellew’s procession into the Goodison Park ring was both stirring and moving.
Everyone knows the spiritual attachment Bellew has with this particular sporting cathedral - and the sight and sound of 20,000 Scousers sharing that moment with him was unique.
And that was just the entrance.
In a deflating first round one violent swing of Makabu’s left fist confirmed that the African’s 18KO record was anything but padded.
But Bellew bounced back.
He dug deep, he drew on his reserves of courage, stamina and staying power and he produced a savage and successful denouement which was celebrated ecstatically.  It’s occasionally pointed out that I’m getting on a bit. I prefer to say ‘experienced’ – and I’ve experienced plenty, both at Goodison and on the Mersey boxing scene.  It’s 41-years since I first stepped inside Goodison Park – and I’ve never seen a spectacle like the one which unfolded on Sunday.
Illunga Makabu knocks down Tony Bellew in the first round
I’ve also witnessed a few significant boxing moments in the city, like the last night of pro boxing at the Liverpool Stadium (although no-one knew it at the time), like the last Scouser to win the coveted green and gold WBC belt (Paul Hodkinson), Vaughan-Hyland Promotions’ memorable Nark in th Park promotion - and four talented fighters from the same family winning Lonsdale Belts.
But what happened at Goodison Park on Sunday night simply hasn’t been seen before.
Anfield has staged world title bills, but back in 1931 Nel Tarleton was heroically defeated.
Last weekend all the stars aligned.  Life didn’t just imitate art, it bettered it.  You really couldn’t make it up.  I've had my Phil of the word 'legend'
The popularisation of the term ‘legend’ is now complete.
A press release announcing Liverpool’s pre-season friendly with AS Roma this summer contained the following sentence: “The news was announced at an event at Busch Stadium attended by Liverpool FC legend, Phil Babb.”   Phil Babb was a fine defender who cost a lot of money, made 170 appearances for Liverpool, scored one goal – and was in the team which won the 1995 League Cup.

But he is not, would never claim to be, never has been and never will be a ‘legend.’

Everton transfer rumours: Koeman to be handed £100m kitty, Lukaku sale in doubt
3 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Joe Rimmer
A round-up of transfer rumours and speculation from around the web
Everton are trying to make Ronald Koeman their new manager. You might have heard .
Farhad Moshiri is thinking big - and he wants Sevilla's transfer expert Monchi to go with the appointment of Koeman.
And, according to reports this morning, Moshiri will, should they be appointed, give the duo a huge transfer budget to work with.  According to the Daily Express, Moshiri is ready to hand £100m to Koeman and Monchi in order to strengthen the squad.  And they say that if the Blues do sell star striker Romelu Lukaku, they will demand £65m for the Belgian striker - and add that right on to Koeman's budget.  That's a whole lotta money!
But perhaps, according to some reports today, Everton will not get that extra £65m.
Because it's reported that Lukaku's potential move to Chelsea might not happen.
Lukaku has been linked with a move to his former club this summer but The Times reckon Antonio Conte could instead look across Stanley Park and try to sign fellow Belgian Christian Benteke.  Meaning Lukaku will have to find other suitors.  Or stay put.  It promises to be an interesting summer at Everton.

Everton sign Bassala Sambou from Coventry City
3 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Kristian Walsh
The 18-year-old revealed on Instagram he has agreed terms with the Blues
Instagram: @bass_97 Bassala Sambou's post on Instagram shows him at Finch Farm
Bassala Sambou's post on Instagram shows him at Finch Farm
Everton have secured their first signing of the summer, bringing in young striker Bassala Sambou from Coventry City.  The Blues have beaten off competition from Newcastle for the 18-year-old, who caught the eye after hitting 25 goals for Coventry’s youth teams.  Sambou has refused to sign professional terms with the League One club, opting to join up at Finch Farm with Everton’s Academy instead.
Coventry will be due compensation for the forward and, if an agreement cannot be reached between themselves and Everton, the fee will be settled by tribunal.
The German-born youngster took to social media to announce the deal, writing: “New chapter, new beginnings, we thank God for making this move possible.  “All the hard work has paid off, it doesn’t mean it stops here.”  Sambou also posted a picture of himself outside Finch Farm, where he has spent the last few weeks training.  Under-21s boss David Unsworth has hailed him an an exciting prospect, and believes he can make the breakthrough into the first team.  "I tracked his progress over the whole of last season and he'll be a quality player to take into the Under-21 group and he's a really exciting prospect for the future," Unsworth said.  "We're pleased to be able to take him here as I believe he'll be a Premier League player in the future."  Sambou has signed a three-year deal to June 2019.

Everton new manager: Why Koeman would be wise to consider Goodison move
3 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Neil Jones
Some question why Dutchman would leave Southampton - but Blues have plenty of pull
His name was in the frame from the second Roberto Martinez was put out of his misery.
He’s admired by Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s new majority shareholder, and the suggestion is that the Blues have piqued his interest too.  He’s just guided Southampton to their highest league finish since 1985, playing organised, attractive football along the way. And this despite seeing his side’s best players pilfered by rival clubs during each of the last two summers.  Yep, Ronald Koeman has credentials. Big ones. Some would say he’s the ideal candidate to replace Martinez at Goodison.  And yet among Blues there is doubt. Doubt as to whether Koeman would turn his back on Southampton in favour of a move to Merseyside. Doubt as to whether Everton are an attractive enough proposition for an in-demand coach. A sign of the times, maybe, but there is pessimism around this story, where supporters are concerned.
OK, let’s get this one out of the way for starters. Money talks. Loudly.
It talks in terms of the kind of contract Koeman could expect at Goodison – he would almost certainly become the highest-paid manager in the club’s history, were he to join – and it talks in terms of the money he would have available to rebuild the squad.
Lukaku is likely to depart
In fact, no Everton manager will have had more. Ever. And while the coffers will, let’s face it, be swelled by the exit of Romelu Lukaku – and perhaps John Stones, too – the word from the club is that Moshiri is willing to put plenty in as well.  The Blues are losing a number of experienced, well-paid first-teamers this summer, and so investment in the playing staff is crucial.
Koeman has not been short on funds at Southampton
Koeman has not been short of funds at Southampton of course, spending decent sums on the likes of Dusan Tadic, Sadio Mane, Virgil Van Dijk and Graziano Pelle among others, but at Everton he could be looking at north of £100m this summer. And that must be tempting for any manager.
History  The rise of Southampton has been impressive, by anyone’s standards. They’ve gone from League One and financial ruin to an established Premier League club, competing in Europe.
And yet when all is said and done, they’ll never be Everton. They’ll never have the history, the lure or the fanbase. St Mary’s will never rock like Goodison can.
It’s easy to forget that this is a club that has won nine league titles – as many as Manchester City and Chelsea combined, if you’re interested – and five FA Cups. It’s won a European trophy, and has been a top-flight club since 1954. No club has spent longer in the top division, in terms of total seasons.
That means something. It always will. The names of certain clubs resonate, and Everton’s name resonates more than Southampton’s ever will.
Time to build
It was with a heavy heart that Everton fired Martinez, following a second successive season of underachievement.  This is not a club that likes to sack managers – in fact, some supporters would have that down as a fault. It is a club that likes to back them.
David Moyes was given time and patience at Everton
Were Everton to prise Koeman away from Southampton, he would be given time to implement his strategy, and support from the boardroom. Everton managers always are, in a way that, say Tottenham or Chelsea bosses never would be.  The life span of a manager is shrinking by the year, but at Everton patience will always be preached.
The glass ceiling
It must be frustrating for managers at clubs outside the top five or six clubs. You want to do well, of course, but you know that success will always come at a price. Clubs see Southampton finishing sixth, and think ‘let’s have a look at those players then.’  Since Koeman’s arrival, he has seen Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Dejan Lovren, Morgan Schneiderlin, Calum Chambers and Nathaniel Clyne taken away. And though he, with the aid of an excellent recruitment setup, has managed to source and bed in replacements superbly, the fear is that it is difficult to sustain that kind of success year in, year out.
Southampton have lost big players such as Morgan Schneiderlin
Would things be different at Everton? Maybe not hugely. Lukaku is likely to go this summer, and it would be no surprise if Stones were to follow, but Everton showed strength in resisting overtures from Chelsea last year, and their improved financial position under Moshiri offers them a greater chance of holding off vultures than Southampton, if they can get things right on the field.
The potential  It was often said during Martinez’s time that Everton had the best, most talented squad they have had in the Premier League era.  An 11th-placed finish, for the second year running, suggests that might have been an exaggeration, but any new manager arriving at Goodison will find plenty of potential to be unlocked.
He’ll have three England international defenders, a right-back of energy and quality in Seamus Coleman, a bona fide gem in Ross Barkley and the various talents of Gerard Deulofeu, James McCarthy, Aaron Lennon and Kevin Mirallas to work with.
Tom Davies
Then there’s the youngsters. Brendan Galloway, Luke Garbutt, Tyias Browning all have their fans, while the emergence of Callum Connolly, Tom Davies and Kieran Dowell provided a silver lining to a dark end to the season. Everton’s Academy staff believe there are plenty more gems lurking within the walls of Finch Farm, too.

Everton View from the Gwladys Street: Born winner Koeman would restore much-needed discipline
3 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Chris Beesley
Proposed Everton two-tier management structure backed
This week's View from the Gwladys Street features Blues fan Paul Daly.
There's been plenty of chat about Ronald Koeman becoming the new Everton manager in the past 24 hours. What would you make of that choice?
I think Ronald Koeman would be a fantastic appointment. I have to admit that my preference would have been Unai Emery at Sevilla after winning three consecutive Europa League trophies but I have no complaints with Koeman being handed the job at all.  It seems that he's been the club's first choice ever since Roberto Martinez departed Goodison and it's not hard to see why.  His work at Southampton, where he was faced with the departures of several key players before he got his feet under the table has been nothing short of outstanding, replacing players such as Luke Shaw, Morgan Schneiderlin, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren with players who have taken them up another level like Saido Mane, Virgil van Dijk, Dusan Tadic and Fraser Forster.   He also appears a man who will enforce a lot of much-needed discipline at the club, with players like Victor Wanyama being made examples of whenever he's spoken up about leaving in the past.   As well as representing clubs such as Barcelona, Ajax and PSV in his playing career, he has also managed (and picked up silverware at) some of Europe's more reputable clubs, with names like Benfica, Ajax, PSV, Valencia and AZ listed on his CV. He is a born winner with ambition and drive, which is something Everton need right now as opposed to a 'project' manager.
In contrast to Emery, he is the 'safe' option, proven in the Premier League and I know the vast majority of Evertonians will be delighted should he get the job.  If Koeman is the man heading to the Blues, would you be concerned he was only coming for the money?  I think if you look around everywhere in the game, money appears to be the way of the footballing world – players, agents and now managers. However, the reality is that if you want the best then you are going to have to pay a premium for it.
I wholeheartedly agreed with the comments Neville Southall made, urging the club to spend up to £20m on a manager like Diego Simeone because as unrealistic as it would be to bring him to Merseyside, the statement it sends out is a huge one – you spend a lot of money and in return, you get one of the best managers in the game.  I'm not naïve enough to believe Koeman would join because he's a long-time supporter of the club or because he used to watch us play as a kid - with the money that Farhad Moshiri intends on investing in the squad this summer and with talk of his Saints salary being doubled, of course money would be a huge factor in his decision.  However, if he delivers silverware during his time at Goodison then I couldn't care less. It would prove to be money well spent.
What do you make of the club's supposed plans to bring in a continental-style two-tier managerial structure with a director of football?
It's certainly an interesting proposal and I would welcome it with open arms.
Funnily enough, all the managers who've been strongly linked with the job have all worked under a Director of Football or a sporting director.  My main reason for wanting to appoint Emery was due to his excellent working relationship with the highly-rated Monchi, his director at Sevilla. Koeman has also worked with Les Reed during his time at St. Mary's, with the latter focusing more on player recruitment whilst the former devotes his time to coaching his players.
I see the pros and cons of both sides but ultimately I feel that a Director of Football at Everton would be of huge benefit to the manager and let him get on with the sole responsibility of managing the team.
Just look at how much Martinez aged in just 3 years here – it can't be healthy shouldering that extra responsibility.   It seems the club will appoint someone in this capacity and Marc Overmars, who has a tremendous success rate with players at Ajax, has been mentioned. Perhaps he will work alongside Koeman? Who knows.
Are you concerned over how long it is taking to make an appointment or do you think this is to ensure the club get the right man?  Not at all. In fact, I applaud Moshiri for taking his time and conducting the proper due diligence on all the candidates that have been interviewed for the post.  It is essential that we get the right man and if takes a little longer, then so be it. I understand fans getting a little anxious with the Euros quickly approaching and with the new manager needing time to prepare but I'm confident that we'll have a new manager by the time the tournament kicks off.
David Moyes would be a quick fix but not right
I would rather be patient and take a little longer in order to identify the right man for us than appoint a quick-fix like David Moyes or Manuel Pellegrini. If anything, I'm probably more excited to see how the new man fares with a sizeable transfer budget and a talented group of players. Moshiri knows who he wants and I have full confidence in him identifying the right manager for Everton.
Ross Barkley made it into the England squad along with John Stones this week. Many Evertonians claim to be indifferent over the national team but do you think it was important for his confidence to be included?  I'm one of those Evertonians! But from Ross' perspective, it was essential that he made the Euros squad.  He's come under a lot of pressure these last few months and I think that some of the treatment he has received, particularly from some of our own fans, has been nothing short of embarrassing.  Despite what some 'journalists' are reporting, he isn't fat either but I do believe he's carrying too much muscle at the moment and I think that might be impacting on his overall game.
He seemed to lose a lot of confidence towards the end of the season. Whether that's due to loss of form or lack of direction from the manager remains to be seen but booing a lad for taking his time on the ball and looking for the right pass as opposed to booting it up the pitch first chance he gets doesn't help anyone.  With all things considered, he's technically brilliant and when he's on it, England don't have a player like him.  If they didn't take him, it would be their own loss. I wish him a successful Euros and hope he comes back injury-free and hopefully revitalised under a new manager.
While it makes a change from touting himself to other clubs, what did you make of Romelu Lukaku's comments that he's "one of the best" and his performances last season were to be expected?
I'm a huge fan of Romelu Lukaku and I maintain that he's the best striker I've seen in an Everton shirt in my lifetime.  His performances in the first-half of the season were nothing short of exceptional and I was genuinely dreading the idea of losing him this summer if we didn't make the Champions League places.
As good as he is though, I do not believe he is great...yet. With the exception of Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-final, his performances in the second half of the season seemed to worsen.

I heard the other week that he is hungry for trophies, but his displays in the two cup semi-finals this year suggested to me that he isn't hungry enough for them.
I don't believe he is a lazy player but his attitude during the final month or so of the season was fairly pathetic.  Ultimately, I will be sad to see him go because strikers like him are very hard to come by but I also strongly believe that if he wants to fulfil his ambition of being the best in the world, he needs to work on his game a lot.  Perhaps the constant sound-bites of wanting out, as annoying as they may be, are actually desperate pleas to encourage clubs who aren't yet fully convinced by him as a top class striker?  Whatever happens, if he leaves then he goes with my best wishes and I'd hope we replace him with someone equally as good, if not better.
Is there any other business you'd like to discuss?
I'd just like to congratulate Tony Bellew on winning the WBC World Cruiserweight championship last weekend.  It was a privilege being present at Goodison that night and I'll never forget that roar when the referee waved the fight off for the rest of my life.  Tony Bellew in action against Ilunga Makubu before winning the WBC Cruiserweight World Championship at Goodison Park  I managed to end up on the pitch after Bomber's fight and looking around the place made me realise just what a huge opportunity we have on our hands with the site for a new stadium on the Docks being mooted once again.  The idea of having a new, purpose-built arena on the waterfront has been a dream of many Blues for a long time and I just hope Farhad Moshiri and the rest of the board can deliver this proposal once and for all after many false dawns.  If they do, there is nothing stopping the club from holding events like last Sunday at the new stadium all the time. The sky really is the limit and it is just too good an opportunity to let pass us by again.

Southampton determined to try and hang on to manager Ronald Koeman amid Everton approach
Adam Leitch , Chief Sports Writer /
Southern Daily Echo
Bottom of Form
Ronald Koemanwill have to fight his way out of Saints if he wants to take over at Everton. The Dutchman has been the subject of intense speculation linking him with the vacant post at Goodison Park, and a potential salary of £7m-a-year. The Daily Echo understands that Everton have contacted Saints for permission to speak with Koeman, an essential move if any deal were to occur. For their part, Saints are believed to have not yet granted permission and are determined to do everything they can to hold on to Koeman, who has been a great success in his two seasons in charge. The contract extension they have tabled for Koeman – who has one year remaining on his existing deal – would comfortably make him the highest paid manager in the club’s history. Negotiations over the new contract started immediately after the end of last season and were overwhelmingly positive, with an expectation that Koeman would sign after he returned from his holiday in the Caribbean this week. However, having changed agent things have gone quiet on that front, with a constant stream of stories linking Koeman with Everton coming out in the media in the meantime. It now seems Everton have made Koeman their top target, but Saints will have to give permission if the boss is to speak to Everton. With a year left on Koeman’s contract still, Saints continue to hold the aces. It will have to be on Koeman to force his way out if he were to go. He has continually said that he will, at the very least, see out the remaining year on his contract at St Mary’s. Saints expect him to honour that, while also hoping that he will sign to stay far longer.
Koeman will, therefore, actively have to go out of his way to get out of Saints. Only if that happens and the situation looked utterly futile would Saints the start the fight for the maximum level of compensation. There is still a chance that it won’t come to that, and that Saints can finalise a new contract with Koeman, even if the finer details alter a little to persuade him to stay. Everton's approach does, though, leave this under threat. Koeman was understood to have been impressed with the ambitious plans for the future presented to him by Les Reed, which include qualification for the Champions League in the foreseeable future. It was his belief in the Saints plans that prompted the contract negotiations, which the Daily Echo understands were positive throughout. Should Koeman decide he wants to go to Everton, it would likely be a money driven move. That would either be personally, as the reported £7m-a-year salary would make him the sixth highest paid manager in the world, or in terms of the spending power he would have at his disposal to try and return Everton to the upper echelons of the Premier League. Everton’s new billionaire backer is said to be prepared to pledge £100m for a transfer kitty this summer, along with any funds raised if Romelu Lukaku or John Stones move on. Koeman will not have that kind of cash at his disposal at Saints, but has previously insisted he enjoys working the way he has at St Mary’s, spending plenty enough still to develop his squad and enjoy continual progression. Saints can also offer European football, with Koeman having guided them straight into the Europa League group stages with the club still very much hoping he is in charge when those fixtures start.

Everton in talks with Southampton to approach Ronald Koeman
• Dutchman’s agent confirms clubs are in contact over potential move
• Southampton could be due compensation if Koeman leaves
Ed Arons
Friday 3 June 2016 22.32 BST Last modified on Saturday 4 June 2016 00.06 BST
Everton are in talks with Southampton over an approach to make Ronald Koeman their next manager, with the Dutchman now waiting to be granted permission to discuss terms over a potential move to Goodison Park.As revealed by the Guardian last month, the former Holland international defender was earmarked as the first choice to succeed Roberto Martínez by Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s new major shareholder. The initial suggestions were that Koeman, who joined Southampton from Feyenoord in 2014, was not interested in moving to Merseyside despite having only one year of his contract at St Mary’s remaining.However, with Moshiri believed to be willing to provide the new manager with significant transfer funds, the 53-year-old is now understood to be tempted by the chance to move north.Koeman’s agent, Rob Jansen, confirmed to the Guardian on Friday night that Everton have made contact with Southampton to ask for permission to speak to him but that no decision has been made on whether to give that permission. It is expected Southampton would be due compensation for the year left on Koeman’s contract, believed to be worth around £3m.After guiding Southampton to sixth place thanks to a 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace on the final day of the season Koeman hinted that he would require signs that the club was showing ambition before committing himself to extending his deal.“It is important to know what we can do to be stronger because in my opinion that’s ambition,” he said. “If you don’t have that ambition, you start to be sloppy and that is not what I like to be. It is possible [to sign a contract next week] but that is always depending on the conversation.”
Saints’ chairman, Ralph Krueger, had previously indicated that he would not stand in Koeman’s way if the former Barcelona player wanted to leave.Should he decide to succeed Martínez at Goodison Park, there is every chance he will be expected to work alongside a director of football. That appears likely to be Sevilla’s Monchi, who confirmed on Friday that he intends to leave the Europa League winners this summer.“For about a month I noticed that something wasn’t right in my head,” he told SFC Radio. “I figured it was time to stop and make a change. My doubts then returned but late on Sunday I made ​​the decision [to leave]. Still, what I can say is that I won’t pay my release clause. I won’t leave Sevilla through the backdoor.”

Royal Blue: Why Ronald Koeman could unite Everton fans
4 Jun 2016
Updated 11:00, 4 Jun 2016
By Greg O’Keeffe
Liverpool Echo
As Roberto Martinez's troubled third season unravelled the tension at home matches was palpable, with inflamed sentiment occasionally leading to in-fighting and discord.Eventually things got so bad that there was nobody left in the pro-Martinez camp, while the few loyalists that remained became involved in ever more fractious exchanges with fellow Blues demanding change.The fact that both sides of the argument wanted the best for their club was often forgotten amid the acrimony.Those in favour of staying with the Catalan lumped accusations at those who wanted change and vice versa. Meanwhile, the team visibly wilted as the dressing room suffered its own lapse into disharmony between the manager and his players.It was unhealthy and damaging.Fortress Goodison remained a 'help yourself' respite for visiting teams and the protests against the embattled manager became ever louder.
By the day of Martinez's sacking the tension had built enormously, and the understandable scrapping of the end of season awards was a cursory full stop on a miserable second half of a sorry campaign.In the end, it took the manager's removal and David Unsworth's temporary breath of fresh air to ensure that Goodison at least ended 2015-16 on a high.The 3-0 win over Norwich meant little but it at least left fans smiling as they headed for an uncertain summer.And yet this week we learn that Everton have flogged more season tickets than ever before despite such an unhappy campaign.Undoubtedly the promise of Farhad Moshiri's arrival will be a big part of that surge in sales, but so too is the calibre of potential managers being linked with the club.Ronald Koeman remains the frontrunner, and after a period of uncertainty, is edging closer to becoming their new boss.His arrival is not cut and dried with some obstacles remaining before the Blues get their first-choice, but the reasons why he is the preferred option are clear.Unai Emery and Frank De Boer have their attributes and supporters among the Blues fanbase, but Koeman is a unifying prospect.Unlike when Martinez was unveiled back in summer 2013, there is precious little debate between Blues. Cast your mind back three summers ago and many questioned whether a man who had taken Wigan down was good enough, while others dreamed that the FA Cup winner would repeat the trick on Merseyside.The rest was recent history.Koeman, with his style set around halfway between David Moyes' pragmatism and Martinez's adventure, ticks all the boxes.One or two may prefer someone else, but they all agree regardless he'd be a strong choice.At the outset of an exciting new era, his appointment could unite the club's fanbase. It could make it stronger and bring Blues closer together than they've been in some time.It's just another reason why Moshiri and Bill Kenwright are refusing to give up on the Dutchman.They want him because he's the best available man out there, but they're not blind to the born-winner's popularity among the supporters either.
Easy Listening for charity
Everton in the Community are extending their ‘Blue Family’ campaign and giving fans an extra two weeks to pre-order limited-edition Everton-branded earphones as well as the opportunity to win an assortment of exclusive prizes.Launching today, the charity, and fundraising platform Wear Your Support, will be running a daily prize draw which will see all those who have already pre-ordered the earphones in with a daily chance to get their hands on 14 prizes including signed Ross Barkley boots, mascot experiences, a signed Tony Bellew canvas and the opportunity to have a seat on the 2016/17 team photo.The two week extension will run until June 15, the final date that you can pre-order your earphones which have been championed by the likes of Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines and the recently crowned WBC Cruiserweight Champion Bellew.
You can pre-order earphones today while also helping raise funds for Everton in the Community with all proceeds going directly to the club’s charitable arm.Priced at £20, the money raised from the sale of the earphones will enable the pioneering sporting charity to continue their ground-breaking work across Merseyside.The innovative design of the high-quality noise cancelling earphones offer high output, full range sound, enhanced bass and pitch perfect highs.

Everton set to name Ronald Koeman as new manager this weekend after agreement is reached with Southampton boss
Ronald Koeman is set to be announced as the new manager of Everton
Toffees have agreed terms with the Dutchman over a Goodison Park deal
The 53-year-old will succeed Roberto Martinez, who was sacked in May 
Everton will have to pay up the final year of his contract with the Saints 
By Rob Draper for MailOnline
4 June 2016 | Updated: 11:28, 4 June 2016
Daily Mail
Ronald Koeman has agreed terms with Everton and is expected to be announced as the new manager over the weekend, having been swayed by the amount of transfer budget that will be made available by new owner Farhad Moshiri.Koeman has been reluctant to leave Southampton given that the club took a chance to bring him into the Premier League in 2014. Though he understood the financial constraints under which Southampton have to work, the injection of funds by Moshiri into Everton means Koeman can now compete for a different class of player in the transfer market.
KOEMAN'S MANAGERIAL STATS 
Valencia (2007-08): P35 W12 D9 L14
Feyenoord (2011-14): P108 W62 D21 L25
Southampton (2014-16): P91 W44 D17 L30 
Everton will have to pay up the final year of Koeman’s contract at Southampton, understood to be around £3.5m, but Koeman is keen for the deal to be agreed before he goes on holiday next week. He intends to start work at Everton the following week.Koeman’s decision comes three weeks after the Everton made it known that they wanted him as replacement for Roberto Martinez and initially it seemed that Koeman would stick at Southampton, where he had guided the club into seventh and sixth place in his two seasons in charge despite having to sell their best players.But the ambition of Moshiri has convinced Koeman that it would be a step up and allow him to challenge the major Premier League clubs without constantly having to sell. While Southampton were keen for Koeman to sign a new deal and would have offered more money, their transfer budgets going forward would not have matched Everton’s.  

Ronald Koeman agrees terms to be named Everton manager this weekend
Mark Brus for Metro.co.ukSaturday 4 Jun 2016
Everton look close to appointing Southampton’s Ronald Koeman as their new manager in a deal that could be concluded this weekend.The Dutch tactician, who has also been linked as a future contender for the Arsenal job, has reportedly agreed personal terms with the Toffees and will now step in to replace Roberto Martinez.Everton sacked Martinez with one game to go at the end of last season, and have moved swiftly to bring in Koeman after his tremendous work in two years with the Saints.The 53-year-old helped Southampton to their highest ever Premier League finish last season, but the Daily Mail claim he has been lured to Goodison Park with the promise of more transfer funds being made available to him.Everton are under new ownership since a takeover by Farhad Moshiri, which should give them the strength to challenge for a higher calibre of player in the transfer market this summer.
Koeman had worked wonders despite harsh financial restrictions at St Mary’s, with the club having to sell their best players each summer.However, keeping some of Everton’s stars could be a challenge as well, with the likes of Romelu Lukaku and John Stones likely to be on the hit-list of a number of top clubs this year.

Duncan Ferguson will remain on Everton staff as Blues edge closer to Koeman appointment
4 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Phil Kirkbride
Blues hero will retain his place as club look to bring Southampton boss Koeman to Goodison
Everton coach Duncan Ferguson looks on
Duncan Ferguson is set to remain a vital part of Everton’s first-team coaching set-up - as the Blues edge closer to appointing Ronald Koeman.  The Goodison hero was promoted from the Academy to senior ranks by Roberto Martinez two years ago.   Everton sacked Martinez last month and instantly made Southampton boss Koeman their No1 target.  The 53-year-old is understood to be ready to swap the south coast for Goodison and spearhead the new era under billionaire investor Farhad Moshiri.  Koeman’s brother, and trusted No2, Erwin is in line to join him but Ferguson looks also set to be retained as part of the first-team structure.  Big Dunc is understood to have met with Moshiri this week and been reassured that he remains part of the plans at Everton.
The Blues will reportedly have to pay between £3.5-4m in compensation to free Koeman from the final 12 months of his contract at Southampton.  And in a major show of ambition, Everton are ready to hand the former Dutch international a £6m-a-year salary as well as the biggest transfer war chest in club history.  As the ECHO revealed last month, the Blues are also in the process of implementing a European-style structure which will see the appointment of a director of football.  Everton are trying to prise Sevilla’s revered sporting director Monchi from the La Liga club in the hope of teaming him up with Koeman.

Is Everton striker Romelu Lukaku really worth the £65m asking price?
4 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Phil Kirkbride
Leading Swiss research body claims Blues frontman worth far less than price tag
Everton have slapped a £65m price tag on wantaway striker Romelu Lukaku.
But a leading Swiss-based research body doesn’t believe the 22-year-old striker is worth that much.
The Blues new boss - looking increasingly likely to be Ronald Koeman - will be given a club-record transfer kitty this summer that will include the proceeds from the sale of Lukaku.  Defender John Stones is also set to be targeted by a host of clubs again this summer following Chelsea’s dogged pursuit 12 months ago.  Everton rejected a series of bids from the London club, the final of which was in excess of £30m, but what is Stones’ market value now?  According to CIES Football Observatory, the England defender is worth 38.2m Euros (£29.9m) while Lukaku is valued at 58.1m Euros (£45.4m), almost £20m down on Everton’s asking price.  That figure ranks Lukaku, who scored 25 goals last season but made it clear he wants to leave Goodison, as the player with the 24th highest transfer value in Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues – England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Stones is rated at 64th but Ross Barkley (39.7m Euros) is up at 58th.
According to CIES, eight players on their list would command transfer fees of 100m Euros or more; Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Antoine Griezmann, Harry Kane, Anthony Martial, Luis Suarez and Paulo Dybala.  

Everton confident of Ronald Koeman appointment as Southampton talks continue
4 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Phil Kirkbride
Blues ready to hand Dutchman £6m-a-year and £100m transfer kitty
Everton remain confident of making Ronald Koeman their new boss as talks progress over compensation for Southampton manager.  The Blues are closing in on the Dutchman who has been their No1 target to replace Roberto Martinez , who was sacked last month.  Everton will have to pay in the region of £3.5m to free Koeman from the final 12 months of his contract with the Saints and the two clubs remain locked in discussions.  Talks are also likely to include the release of other staff members from Southampton, including Koeman’s brother and trusted No2 Erwin.   Once the clubs reach a compromise then there are not expected to be any hiccups in Koeman agreeing personal terms with the Blues.
Everton’s billionaire investor Farhad Moshiri made the 53-year-old his No1 choice to replace Martinez but hopes of convincing him to swap Southampton for Goodison had been fading.  Everton had also considered Manuel Pellegrini, Unai Emery and Frank de Boer but in a major show of ambition, Moshiri will pay Koeman a £6m-a-year salary and had him a club record transfer kitty, that looks like exceeding £100m.  Everton are hoping to pair Koeman with Sevilla’s sporting director Monchi, as they transform the club in the new era under Moshiri.  The Blues want to create a European-style model at the club which will see the appointment of a director of football and Monchi is their main target.

Ronald Koeman agrees to become Everton manager, as Southampton turn to Eddie Howe
Koeman has agreed to take charge at Goodison Park Credit: REX
By  Sam Wallace, Chief Football Writer Julian Bennetts
4 June 2016 Telegraph
Ronald Koeman has agreed to become the new manager of Everton, in a deal financed by the club’s new owner Farhad Moshiri, with Southampton now considering either Eddie Howe or the Sevilla manager Unai Emery as his replacement.
Southampton offered to make Koeman the highest-paid manager in their history with a two-year extension deal that would have taken his contract to 2019. The club were unaware that Koeman had changed his position and wanted to leave until Thursday when reports in Holland indicated that there was a major change of heart from the Dutchman.    Howe has long been admired by Southampton and is a bright young manager whom they feel could work within their recruitment structure. Emery has been interested in the job in the past and is keen to come to the Premier League having won three straight Europa Leagues with Sevilla and with his stock very high in Europe.  Koeman left on holiday on Saturday with the compensation deal between Southampton and Everton not yet agreed. The feeling at Southampton was that Moshiri was never about to stop raising the salary offer to Koeman, or the promise of transfer resources, until he got the answer he wanted and Southampton were not prepared to get into a bidding war.    The salary being offered to Koeman by Everton is around £7 million with a promise of £100 million to spend in the market. Whether that £100 million is on top of any sales made this summer and whether or not it includes wages as well as fees will emerge over the summer.   
Southampton are surprised that Koeman has changed his mind on Everton given his assurances when the interest became clear that he was not interested. Already an extremely wealthy individual it is anticipated that Koeman will say that Everton offered him a better platform to win trophies. While Moshiri clearly offers greater spending power for Everton in the transfer market, Southampton are in no mood to go through another sale of players this summer after their sixth place finish. 
Eddie Howe
Southampton may attempt to persuade Howe to leave Bournemouth  Credit: Christopher Pledger
They believe that the long-term deals for Fraser Forster, Virgil van Dijk and James Ward-Prowse are evidence of their ambition to keep key and emergent members of the current squad. There is also a rejection of the suggestion that executive director Les Reed had a difficult relationship with Koeman and that it might be a reason why he left.    Howe, 38, signed a new long term deal at Bournemouth in October and has a close connection to the club he has got promoted three times and where he returned after a spell at Burnley. Emery held talks with Everton before they decided to appoint Koeman, and is very keen on a move to English football.

Ronald Koeman’s agent says Dutchman has agreed terms with Everton
• ‘We have reached an agreement with Everton. Now it is up to the clubs’
• Ronald Koeman has one year left on his contract as Southampton manager
Southampton fans hold up a Dutch flag with Ronald Koeman’s name at the end of the season finale against Crystal Palace
Saturday 4 June 2016 Guardian
Ronald Koeman has agreed a deal with Everton to become their new manager, his agent has reportedly told Dutch media. The agent Rob Jansen said, according to the popular Voetbal International website, that it was now down to Southampton and Everton to agree a compensation package for the Dutchman, who has a year remaining on his contract at St Mary’s.  Manuel Pellegrini, Unai Emery and Frank de Boer were all linked with the Everton job which became vacant when Roberto Martínez was sacked last month.  Jansen is quoted as saying: “We have reached an agreement with Everton. Now it is up to the clubs.”  Koeman, who steered Southampton to a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League last season, hinted after the 4-1 home win against Crystal Palace on the final day of the campaign that he would like to see signs of ambition from the club before he committed to a new contract. He said: “It is important to know what we can do to be stronger because in my opinion that’s ambition. If you don’t have that ambition, you start to be sloppy and that is not what I like to be.”  Everton are rebuilding following the arrival of the club’s new major shareholder, Farhad Moshiri. Should Koeman complete a switch he would be reunited at Goodison Park with Arouna Koné and Steven Pienaar, whom he managed at PSV Eindhoven and Ajax respectively.  Koeman has won three Dutch titles as a manager – two at Ajax and one at PSV. He moved to Southampton in 2014 to succeed Mauricio Pochettino. They finished seventh in his first season before going one better in 2015-16.

Ian Doyle: Why Ronald Koeman would be kind of a big deal for Everton
5 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
by IanDoyle
Appointing Dutchman would be a major coup for Blues... and why Rooney's influence shouldn't be on the wane with England
Everton managerial target Ronald Koeman
You know what it's like when you've got a big purchase to make.
The more expensive the cost, the more important the product, the more time is spent making sure everything is done right.  So is the case with Everton as Ronald Koeman edges ever nearer becoming the latest man in the Goodison hotseat.  It's hardly surprising given this would arguably be the most high-profile managerial appointment in the club's history.  And for more reasons than Koeman would arrive having claimed trophies in Holland, Portugal and Spain, let alone a playing career that included the trifling matter of scoring the winning goal in the European Cup final.  Oh, and scoring 239 goals in 685 club appearances – a remarkable statistic, even taking into consideration he was on free-kicks and penalties, given the Dutchman spent much of his career playing in defence.  
Not since the arrival of Mike Walker in 1994 have Everton swooped for the manager of another Premier League club.  Walker's replacement Joe Royle had only months earlier gone down with Oldham Athletic. Howard Kendall's third spell came after missing out on promotion to the top flight with Sheffield United.
Walter Smith arrived from Scotland, David Moyes the Championship, while Roberto Martinez had just been relegated from the Premier League.  Of course, Walker seemingly spent more time working on his tan than training his players during his mercifully brief spell in charge.  Koeman has a much greater pedigree. And he's already demonstrated he's not averse to taking on a challenge, having succeeded the likes of Giovanni Trapattoni (at Benfica), Guus Hiddink (at PSV Eindhoven), Quique Flores (at Valencia), Louis van Gaal (at AZ Alkmaar) and Mauricio Pochettino (at Southampton).  Yes, there may well be concerns Koeman doesn't hang around long at clubs, his longest spell being three years at Feyenoord.
Farhad Moshiri won't be overly concerned with a long-term project for now  But that's no different to any other manager at present.  Every club ideally wants to build a long-term project but the life expectancy of a Premier League boss that isn't called Arsene Wenger suggests that's nothing but a pipedream.  Koeman is for the here and now. And, armed with a sizeable warchest, he'll be expected to start wielding his sizeable reputation.  A word of warning Ronald, though.  On becoming Everton manager, one of your first tasks might want to be deactivating your Twitter account.
Even if you do have more followers than the club you're about to join.  Just saying, like.

Everton next manager rumours: Koeman seeks talks with Lukaku and Stones, Pellegrini shock, Wijnaldum linked
5 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Kristian Walsh
The latest Everton FC gossip from around the web
The deal isn't done yet, but that hasn't stopped plenty of speculation over Ronald Koeman's first move if he is appointed Everton boss.  And according to the People, his first task will revolve around Romelu Lukaku and John Stones, with the story suggesting Koeman's first job at the Blues will be to try to persuade the duo to stay at Goodison Park.  It says Koeman will attempt to make contact with the pair before Euro 2016 starts on Friday to outline his plans to move Everton forward.  Meanwhile, in the Sunday Mirror, Manuel Pellegrini has emerged as a shock contender... for the Southampton job.
The story suggests the Saints have resigned themselves to losing the Dutchman and now set their sights upon the former Manchester City manager.  It says Pellegrini, 62, is keen to land another job in England and hoped to move to Goodison Park before Koeman was chosen.  Frank de Boer is also in the frame following his resignation from Ajax at the end of the season.  And finally, a bit of player gossip, as Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is supposedly being watched by the Blues.
But the Mirror say they will have to go head-to-head with Southampton for his signature.
Everton and Southampton scouts were reportedly at Holland’s game in Austria on Saturday night to check on the 25-year-old.  And the midfielder sent a “come and get me" plea to Premier League sides before the game by admitting he would love to play in the top flight “with a beautiful club".

Football Echoes: Want-away Everton striker Latchford told he was staying put
5 Jun 2016 Liverpool ERcho
By Chris Beesley
Blues ace told he couldn't have a pay rise - due to government regulations
Everton striker Bob Latchford getting a taste of the high life with a Rolls-Royce 2006
Everton's move for Joleon Lescott hit a switch with the Blues having some concerns over the results of a stringent medical.  The fee with Wolverhampton Wanderers and personal terms for the defender had been agreed but question marks remained over the 23-year-old's knee which had been reconstructed after a year out.  Everton would go on to benefit from arguably the best three years of Joleon Lescott's career from an individual standpoint  Goodison officials were concerned that the problem could flare up again a couple of years down the line and while the final decision would be down to manager David Moyes, they were prepared to dig their heels in to sign the player on terms they felt acceptable.
The move was finally sealed on June 14 with Molineux chief executive Jez Moxey revealing: “Wolves will receive £2m up front, plus another £2m to be paid in instalments over the next two-and-a-half years, subject to Joleon continuing to play football. The remaining £1m is subject to player appearances.”
Top of the charts: Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
1996
Joe Royle paid tribute to Birmingham City-bound Barry Horne 20 years ago – and then tipped young gun Tony Grant to move onto centre stage.  The Wales captain was on the verge of a £280,000 move to St Andrew's and Royle told Paul Joyce: “Barry has been priceless since I came here as manager.  “If you ask the supporters, especially those who travel away, they will tell you just what he has done for Everton Football Club.  “There were a lot of factors to take into account. Had Barry stayed he would got plenty of games for Everton next year. With injuries and suspensions, you need a strong squad in the Premiership now.  “But in the back of my mind is the emergence of Tony Grant and the probable addition of Gary Speed.  “Joe Parkinson has come on and there is the continual improvement of John Ebbrell.
“We have Vinny Samways to come back, too, so we are not short of midfielders.
“Also the fee is a good price for someone who is 34. Financially it will be a good deal for Barry and that is a reward for all he has done for us.”  Everton's Barry Horne with Roy Keane of Manchester United in the 1995 FA Cup final  Of Grant, Royle added: “Tony is a talented player who has worked hard on his game.
“What he always had to do was project his strengths from the training pitch into matches.
“Tony is still a bit inexperienced. Hopefully he will come back in the summer and show us in pre-season training that he has come on again.
“He is very comfortable when he has the ball. Now he needs to work harder to get the ball more often.”
Lifelong Evertonian Horne admitted it was a tough call to leave the Blues and said: “There are clubs in the Premiership I wouldn't even contemplate leaving Everton to join, so the fact that I am willing to consider leaving Everton for Birmingham shows that I think they are very ambitious.
“I think everyone knows I am an Everton fan. I love the club and I really believe they are going places under Joe Royle.  “Joe has been absolutely magnificent. He is certainly not pushing me out of the door and has told me that he will be happy for me to stay.  “He is trying to perform a balancing act and do the right thing for me and Everton Football Club.”  Royle's balancing act came tumbling down the following spring when he ended up departing the Blues after being blocked in a move to bring Horne back to Goodison as player-coach while also trying to sign Norwegian pair Tore Andre Flo – later of Chelsea – and Claus Eftevaag.
Top of the charts: Three Lions by Baddiel, Skinner & The Lightning Seeds
1986
Injuries in the England camp at the World Cup finals in Mexico ensured contrasting fortunes for a couple of Everton stars.
Midfielder Peter Reid was ruled out of their second group game with Morocco due to a twisted ankle but a pulled hamstring for Viv Anderson ensured Gary Stevens earned a reprieve after potentially facing the axe following a defensive lapse that led to Portugal's winning goal in Bobby Robson's side's opening match.  Everton's Peter Reid in the 1986 World Cup with England
Ken Rogers also revealed that Blues pair Neville Southall and Neil Pointon had been ruled out of the Charity Shield clash with neighbours Liverpool on August 16.  A specialist told the club that the goalkeeper and full-back were both making steady progress but would not be fit for the big kick-off.
Top of the charts: The Chicken Song by Spitting Image
1976
Everton's want-away striker Bob Latchford was told he was staying at Goodison Park after his transfer request was turned down.  As unlikely as it seems now 40 years on that the Goodison icon had itchy feet, the £350,000 signing from Birmingham City was frustrated that he hadn't been offered a rise.
However, Alex Goodman reported that having returned from holiday, manager Billy Bingham had declared: “There is no way he can have a transfer”, citing Westminster red tape for leaving his hands tied.  New Everton signing Bob Latchford greets chairman John Moores watched by his manager Billy Bingham during a training session at Bellefield. Latchford signed for £350,000 from Birmingham City, a British transfer record. 19th February 1974.  The Ulsterman added: “I had a chat with Latchford before I went away and obviously he would like a rise but it is very difficult because of the current Government restrictions.  “I would like to give people rises but there is a £6 limit on some wage earners and other people earning over £8,000 cannot have a rise at all.  “I hope the players can understand this because there is no way round Government regulations.”

Everton next manager latest - 'Koeman has the class that Blues fans will like'
5 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Phil Kirkbride
Dutch manager edging closer to Goodison and ex-captain backs him to succeed, says Barry Horne
Everton fans will take to the ‘class and confidence’ of Ronald Koeman, says an ex-Blues captain.
The Southampton boss is edging closer to being named as Roberto Martinez’s replacement as talks progress between Everton and the Saints.  Koeman, 53, has 12 months left on his contract at St Mary’s and Everton will have to pay in the region of £3.5m to free him from the south coast club.
Former Blues skipper Barry Horne played against the Dutchman at international level and for Everton in the 1995 Cup Winners’ Cup second round against Feyenoord.  Koeman had just returned to Holland after a hugely successful six years at Barcelona and Horne says his illustrious playing career has helped him become such a sought-after manager.  “I can understand why Everton have gone for him,” Horne told the ECHO.  “He is dignified and carries himself well, which is absolutely crucial for anyone who plays or manages at Everton.  “He doesn’t get into trouble and doesn’t seem to fall out with people.
“Like all players who have played for the clubs, and the level, at which he has, Koeman has a great strength of conviction and confidence and, in that sense, I don’t see any reason why he won’t be taken to by the fans.”  Koeman has also managed Vitesse, Ajax, Benfica, PSV, Valencia, AZ and Feyenoord but his success with Southampton, leading them to seventh and sixth placed finishes and into Europe, has helped convince Everton he is the man they want to lead them into a new era.  “He is somebody who was presumably very content in his work at Southampton, doing well and had a good relationship with everybody but it appears he has been persuaded to come to Everton,” Horne added.
“I’ve seen Southampton several times this year and like the way they play.
“And so if Koeman does become manager, I’m sure Everton fans will like the way the team play, the way he sets them up and his demeanour is fantastic, that is one of the best things about him.
“He rarely loses his cool, he is very honest in his assessment of games and Everton fans will like that.
“And, of course, it is not that long since he left Holland and so will have extensive contacts there and he has experience of playing and managing in other parts of Europe.” 

Everton could be without Oumar Niasse for almost a month next season
5 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Phil Kirkbride
Blues striker set for Africa Cup of Nations after Senegal book place
Everton may have to do without Oumar Niasse for nearly a month of next season.  The £13.5m striker is in line to take part in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations after Senegal qualified for the tournament.  A 2-0 win over Burundi last night secured their place in the competition which takes place in Gabon between January 14-February 5.  Niasse scored in Senegal’s win over Niger in March and though not involved in last night’s victory, the 26-year-old will hope to be named in the squad for the tournament.
Blues closing in Big Dunc to stay on staff Koeman podcast Royal Blue Fan View Director of football? Neil Jones comment Horne on Koeman 'No deal in place' - agent
If the striker, signed from Lokomotiv Moscow in January, is still at Everton next season then he would likely miss a clutch of games over the typically busy New Year period.  However, after struggling badly for form and fitness so far at Everton, it remains to be seen whether he fits into the plans of Roberto Martinez’s replacement.

Everton next manager latest - Koeman agent insists no agreement in place
5 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Phil Kirkbride
Blues remain locked in talks with the Saints over compensation for Dutch boss
Everton have yet to reach an agreement with Southampton over compensation due for Ronald Koeman, insists his agent.  The Blues are locked in talks with the Saints as they try and prise the Dutch boss from the final 12 months of his contract at St Mary’s.  Everton will have to pay in the region of £3.5m.
But Koeman’s agent, Rob Jansen, has rejected claims that an agreement between the 53-year-old and Everton has already been agreed.  Jansen claims he was mis-quoted by the Dutch media and has moved to try and clarify the situation.  “That’s really not the case,” Jansen is reported to have said.
“First, the clubs must have agreed. Then we get back into action. I cannot say whether his brother Erwin will go along as an assistant. That’s all still premature now.  “Let’s just quietly wait if the clubs come to an agreement.”

Everton to consider Scott Dann transfer should Ronald Koeman take charge
5 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Phil Kirkbride
Blues hoping to name Koeman as new boss this week and set about squad overhaul
Crystal Palace's Scott Dann
Everton are set to add Scott Dann to their list of potential transfer targets should Ronald Koeman take over as boss.  The Blues are confident of naming the Southampton manager as their replacement for Roberto Martinez this week.  Everton are locked in talks with the Saints as they try and thrash out a compensation package for Koeman.  The former Dutch international is set to earn £6m-a-year at Goodison and will be handed a club record transfer kitty, which is set to exceed £100m.  Everton are bracing themselves for offers for wantaway striker Romelu Lukaku and the in-demand John Stones this summer and though Koeman will hope to speak to the pair, he will still be tasked with performing a major squad overhaul.  Blues closing in Big Dunc to stay on staff Koeman podcast Royal Blue Fan View Director of football? Neil Jones comment Horne on Koeman 'No deal in place' – agent  And Crystal Palace defender Dann is set to be put on a list of potential replacements for Stones should he lea
 ve.  The 29-year-old centre-half is likely to command a transfer fee of at least £15m and Palace would be reluctant to lose one of their key players.  Should Koeman, as expected, join Everton then the club’s billionaire investor Farhad Moshiri intends to have him work alongside a director of football, with Sevilla’s Monchi their No1 target.  But Koeman is likely to recommend that Everton consider Dann as a potential transfer target this summer.
The 53-year-old has been monitoring Dann at Southampton.  But Everton have yet to be given permission to speak with Koeman and talks with the south coast club must first reach a conclusion.

Everton Monchi chase to intensify this week as Koeman edges closer to job
6 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Phil Kirkbride
Blues want to partner Koeman with Sevilla's sporting director
Monchi & Ronald Koeman
Everton are set to step up their pursuit of transfer guru Monchi this week - as Ronald Koeman closes in on the Blues job.  Billionaire investor Farhad Moshiri remains confident of tying up a deal for Koeman to replace Roberto Martinez in the coming days.  And once the Dutchman is in the Goodison hot-seat, Everton will push ahead with plans to build an elite team around the 53-year-old.  At the top of the Blues’ hit-list is Sevilla’s revered sporting director Monchi who had indicated that he wants to leave the Spanish club.  Everton would need to pay the £3.8m buy-out clause to prise Monchi out of his contract at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium but Moshiri intends to create a no-expense spared framework around Koeman.
Blues closing in Big Dunc to stay on staff Koeman podcast Royal Blue Fan View Director of football? Neil Jones comment Horne on Koeman 'No deal in place' – agent  The Blues will pay Koeman a £6m-a-year salary and are likely to try and tempt Monchi with a significant wage increase, as well as offering him the chance to work with a transfer budget that is likely to exceed £100m.  Monchi, whose full name is Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo, has been working at Sevilla for the best part of 15 years and has played a major role in the club winning five Europa League titles in the past 10 seasons.  He is credited with helping the club make a £150m profit on transfers whilst ensuring they remain a force at home and abroad.  And now Moshiri wants Everton to be able to tap into his services and is set to press ahead with plans to sign him up this week once Koeman’s appointment is finalised.

Everton transfer rumours: Wijnaldum to follow Koeman to Goodison
6 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Chris Beesley
Newcastle playmaker set for Blues move
The inevitable galaxy of Dutch stars being linked to Everton has already begun as the Blues close in on Southampton's Ronald Koeman as their new manager.  The Northern Echo say that Koeman is ready to make Newcastle United's Georginio Wijnaldum one of his first signings of the summer – and that looks certain to be for Everton.  The report claims Koeman had identified Wijnaldum as a player he would like at Southampton before Everton moved for his services, and he will be recommending him to the Blues recruitment team when he is appointed.
Wijnaldum only moved to St James’ Park for £14.5million last year and was the team’s leading goalscorer, despite never scoring away from home.  Relegation to the Championship means Newcastle are willing to listen to offers for the majority of players, even though Rafael Benitez has been told he does not have to sell.  Newcastle will be looking to at least recoup the transfer fee they paid to PSV Eindhoven and Wijnaldum said: "The coach decides whether he takes me also to Oranje (the Dutch national team) if I play a league lower - but to be honest, I haven’t thought about it.
“Of course I want to play at as high level as possible, in the Premier League, with a beautiful club - but not everything always goes the way you want. I will see what happens.”  The Mirror says that Koeman's first task at Goodison will be to try and persuade Romelu Lukaku and John Stones to stay.
The Dutchman’s ability to manage without splashing huge funds in the transfer market was an additional bonus – but he’s been assured by Moshiri he will be given a sizeable war chest this summer.  More crucially, he was assured that Everton don’t intend to be a selling club and will do all they can to keep their best players.  That’s the immediate issue facing new boss Koeman with both Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Barcelona all keeping close tabs on £40million-rated Stones while Lukaku has been vocal throughout the summer about his own future.
Meanwhile, in a picture special highlighting the numerous big names to have quit Southampton over the past decade including Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Luke Shaw, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Morgan Schneiderlin and Liverpool trio Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne and Dejan Lovren, the Express reckon Koeman could poach England international goalkeeper Fraser Forster from the Saints as Everton look to replace Tim Howard after the American departed Goodison following a decade long service.

Everton must wait on Koeman as next boss jets off on holiday again
6 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Greg O’Keeffe
Ronald Koeman's agent will finalise negotiations while Dutchman has final week of vacation
Ronald Koeman
Everton's hopes of unveiling Ronald Koeman as their new manager this week appear on hold as the Dutchman has gone on holiday again.  Koeman, 53, only returned from an extended Caribbean break last week, and it quickly became evident he had decided his future lay at Goodison Park.  According to reports in Holland, the Blues have already agreed a £3.5m compensation package with his current club Southampton, and Koeman has now jetted off for another week of holiday, leaving his agent Rob Jansen to finalise negotiations over his personal terms with Bill Kenwright and Farhad Moshiri.
That doesn't mean Everton will not announce Koeman as their new boss this week, but the report in Dutch paper DeTelegraaf suggests the ensuing press conference and photo-calls must wait until next week.    The former Valencia and Benfica manager is understood to be relaxed with assurances he has been given about personal terms and the budget he will work within once he is appointed.

Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu 'so excited' for new season as he eyes return to fitness
6 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Ian Doyle
Spaniard is following special rehabilitation programme after knee injury
Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu is following a special rehabilitation programme to ensure he will be fit for the new season.  And the Spaniard is determined to ensure the Blues have a happier Premier League campaign than the disappointing term that ended with manager Roberto Martinez being fired last month.  After an inconsistent 2016, Deulofeu impressed in a 20-minute cameo in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United at Wembley in April.  But his hopes of kicking on were dashed when his season was ended a few days later by a knee injury suffered in a freak training ground accident with Oumar Niasse.  Deulofeu will spend his summer adhering to an individual training plan and is confident of being available when the squad reconvenes for pre-season training next month.  “I played 20 minutes at Wembley very well, and I wanted to play the last three or four games better and it was unlucky (that I got injured),” said the Spaniard.
“Now it’s time for me to think about next season. I hope next season is much better than this one.
“I worked hard two weeks before May 15 when the season finished.  Deulofeu with pal Denis Suarez when both were at Sevilla on loan  “But Everton have given me a plan for my summer and I will do the plan. I’m a professional.  “I’m so excited for the start of pre-season. I hope next year is much better and Everton stay near the top of the league.”  Of his summer plans, Deulofeu added: “I’ll go to Barcelona and maybe Ibiza or Marbella for a relax.  “I meet up with former colleagues all the time. I see Denis Suarez, Alex Vidal, a lot of players.  “You work all year and in the holidays you can stay with your friends from other teams.”

Everton manager target Ronald Koeman: plain speaking, knows how to attack AND defend, great in the transfer market
6 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Greg O’Keeffe
We get the Koeman low-down from Southern Daily Echo sports editor Simon Carter
Ronald Koeman shouts on the touchline
Everton will have poached a top manager who has plenty going for him if they clinch Ronald Koeman's signature as expected.  That's the verdict of the Southern Daily Echo's sports editor Simon Carter, who believes Southampton's loss will be Everton's gain.  Simon took the time to give us the low-down on what to expect once the Dutchman has been appointed.
Do you think Koeman will be a success at Everton?
Depends what the definition of the word ‘success’ is for Everton fans. Finishing above Saints!?
If it’s Champions League football, that will take some doing in his first season even if he splashes £100m plus this summer.  The competition for top four is tougher than ever  Other clubs who performed much better than Everton in 2015/16 will also be spending big.  Times have changed since Everton last finished in the top four – Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea are all so much stronger now, and (despite what Leicester managed) finishing in the top four is getting harder all the time.
What style of football should Blues fans expect?
Koeman is schooled in the classic Dutch way of playing, so don’t expect too many long hopeful punts forward. Saints scored 59 goals last season – only once in the Premier League have they ever managed more (and that was scoring 61 goals in 1994/95 when there were 42 games, not 38) – so Ron knows how to attack.
Koeman wasn't convinced by Boruc and acted accordingly
As a former defender, though, he knows how important a solid back four is. His first move when coming to Saints was to identify Artur Boruc as a weak link. Within weeks, Fraser Forster had been signed for £10m.
Roberto Martinez was criticised for being overly positive and glossing over defeats , what is Koeman's style with the media?
He tells it as it is. No hyperbole. If it’s been poor, he will say so. He is not a PR man, for certain.
Ronald Koeman tells it like it is
Who, if any, of his backroom staff do you expect him to bring?
His brother Erwin, you would have thought. Dave Watson, the goalkeeping coach, is England’s goalkeeping coach and very highly regarded in the game. And then there is Sammy Lee, a coach at St Mary’s. Would he fancy a move to Goodison Park.. 
Should his appointment go ahead, are Saints fans right to fear that Koeman will raid St Mary's for any of their stars?  Of course. Managers are no different from most of us – they like to work with people they know and trust. Hence Koeman signing Graziano Pelle and Jordy Clasie for Saints, having worked with the pair of them at Feyenoord.
Saints fans will expect to see some departures if Koeman leaves. They will not be happy – with Saints or Koeman – if any of those departures end up at Everton.
What do you make of his record in the transfer market while at Southampton?
Primarily good. Fraser Forster, Virgil Van Dijk, Ryan Bertrand – all great signings. Koeman has also helped Shane Long come on massively in the season just finished and Sadio Mane and Dusan Tadic, while both inconsistent, can be world beaters on their day. And not one of those players cost more than £12m.
Southampton's Dusan Tadic
He also brought in Toby Alderweireld on loan not long after arriving at Saints. Last season he was one of the best defenders in the top flight for Spurs. He can spot a player, you know.
But not all of his signings have worked. He’s not a total footballing alchemist in the transfer market (but who is?).
Caulker's signing wasn't universally approved on the South Coast
Juanmi, a striker signed from La Liga last summer, didn’t make a single first team Premier League start while the loan signing of Steven Caulker was surprising (and that’s putting it mildly).
But overall, far more plusses than minuses.

Everton and the rebirth of the Mersey Millionaires
6 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By David Prentice
Dave Prentice thinks it could be time for an old Everton catchphrase to be dusted down
English League Division One match at Goodison Park. Everton 4 v Fulham 1. The win gave Everton the title on the last day of the season. Everton players celebrate their title success in the changing room after the match with chairman John Moores.6th April 1963
Everton players celebrate their title success in the changing roomwith chairman John Moores. April 1963
Everton are ready to reclaim an old catchphrase – one which will have their supporters singing like Agnetha and Anni-Frid in Abba’s 1970s heyday.  No, not the School of Science, the previous fella reclaimed that one.
The Mersey Millionaires.
Except this time there needs to be a subtle shift.
So how about, The Moshiri Millionaires?  Because for the first time in decades Everton are looking and acting like they’re awash with Money, Money, Money.  Not since the days when the Blues, bankrolled by Littlewoods Pools mogul John Moores, splashed out a £350,000 British record transfer fee to land Bob Latchford, then six months later spent another £300,000 on Martin Dobson, has the Mersey Millionaires tag been used to describe The Toffees.
But it can be now.
Because the reason Ronald Koeman has decided to switch from an upwardly mobile, well run club competing in European competition next season, is clear.  He has been promised money to build and hone a successful squad. Lots of it.  The ambition Farhad Moshiri has brought to Everton’s hunt for a new manager is heartening.  After the thoroughly justified decision to sack Roberto Martinez, the Blues sounded out Jose Mourinho’s representatives.  A long shot, but if you don’t ask you don’t get.
Jose Mourinho - it was worth a shot
And when it was confirmed Mourinho’s heart was set on a job up the road, they looked for the next best option.  Ronald Koeman has enjoyed two highly impressive seasons at Southampton, and as a result was negotiating a new contract.  His representatives reckoned the only way he would consider a move elsewhere, was if he could be persuaded by the scale of his pursuers’ ambition.
So Everton persuaded him.
The made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Not in personal terms, although his annual salary will be understandably hefty, but in the money Everton are prepared to commit to help build a successful team at Goodison Park.
New Everton shareholder Farhad Moshiri (right) has significant ambitions for the club
Plenty of sums have been bandied around, all speculative, but it is clear Koeman is happy with the figures he has heard.   It harks all the way back to 1960 when an ambitious young Mancunian decided he wanted to invest in a sleeping giant of English football, sacked a manager for ‘only’ finishing fifth, and offered to bankroll a bid for glory with a series of interest free loans for players.  English League Division One match at Goodison Park. Everton 4 v Fulham 1. The win gave Everton the title on the last day of the season. Hat trick hero Roy Vernon celebates with champagne poured by chairman John Moores in the changing room after the match. 6th April 1963.
Roy Vernon celebates with champagne poured by chairman John Moores
Signings like Gordon West, a British record transfer fee for a goalkeeper, Dennis Stevens, Tony Kay and Alex Scott quickly ensured that Everton became labelled the Mersey Millionaires.
It was a label which stuck for more than a decade.
And it could be resurrected once again.

Everton or Southampton? So which is the BIGGER club?
7 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By David Prentice
John Motson questions Everton's big club status
SOUTHAMPTON fans are kicking up a fuss over Ronald Koeman’s impending departure for Goodison Park.
Which is understandable.
They’re unhappy, frustrated and - some of the younger supporters especially - bemused why Koeman would quit a well run, ambitious football club for Everton.  BBC commentating doyen John Motson, however, is old enough to know better.  Yet Motty appeared to question Everton’s status, compared to the Saints, in a radio broadcast last night.  He said: “Will he go? I guess Everton are a big club, if we can use that expression. I don’t know why we say that because they’re not in the top six, Southampton are. It’s not a straightforward decision.  So, does ‘big club’ status depend entirely on league position?
Using that criteria, presumably Leicester City are ‘bigger’ than Manchester United?
Of course they aren’t.
Numerous factors come into play when deciding the size and scale of a football club.
So we have compared just a few of them.
FANS
Southampton have boasted average gates of 30,751, 30,741, 30,212 and 30,874 over the last four seasons. Before that it’s in the 20 thousands - because they were a second tier football club.
Everton’s? 38,124, 38,406, 37,732 and 36,358. In fact nothing below 30,000 for 20 years.
TOP FLIGHT STATUS
Southampton were playing in the third tier as recently as 2011. In fact since their entrance into league football in 1920 The Saints have played just 39 seasons of top flight football.  Everton have only ever spent four seasons outside the top flight - and were last relegated in 1951.
They have played more top division fixtures than any other club in the country.
TROPHIES
Everton have won nine league titles, five FA Cups, been finalists another eight times, won a European Cup Winners Cup and twice been in the final of the League Cup.  Southampton? Errm. One FA Cup. Although they did get to the final on three other occasions and have been in one League Cup final.
LEGENDS
Everton’s roll of honour contains some of the greatest names in English football history.
Dixie Dean, Tommy Lawton, Joe Mercer, Alan Ball, Ray Wilson, Neville Southall, Howard Kendall.
Southampton? Matt Le Tissier and Mick Channon. And yes, we do remember Bally playing out his career at The Dell. And Kevin Keegan. Years after their halcyon days here on Merseyside.
STADIUM
St Mary’s is an excellent stadium, certainly one of the more atmospheric of the newer arenas in British football.  But Goodison Park is bigger in capacity, drips with history - it staged a World Cup semi-final in 1966 - and is renowned for its atmosphere.  “It is always a nightmare going there and it wouldn’t matter whether it was Dixie Dean playing for us,” said Alex Ferguson, when he opted to leave Wayne Rooney out of his starting line up to spare him the wrath of Evertonians.
So Motty, you guess right. Everton are a big club. Southampton aren’t.
And that’s why Ronald Koeman is set to leave St Mary’s for Goodison.

Everton hero Duncan Ferguson backs England to win Euros
7 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Greg O’Keeffe
Everton icon Ferguson reckons Roy Hodgson's men can achieve Euro 2016 glory
Duncan Ferguson thinks England can win Euro 2016.
The Blues coach, who earned seven caps for Scotland during his career, has backed the Three Lions to win their first major international trophy in 50 years.  The European Championships start this Friday - and Ferguson will be following the tournament closely, particularly with seven Blues set to be involved.
“I’ll be keeping an eye on it, looking out for the Everton players who hopefully will do well,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to watching England play because I think they have got a right good chance this year.  Ferguson thinks Ross Barkley and John Stones will make an impact  “I fancy England to do it. They have got a good team and a freshness. They are young and there are plenty of legs in the team.”
If England are to be successful in France, Ferguson also believes Everton duo Ross Barkley and John Stones will make important contributions.  Ferguson added: “They are great players and I’m sure they will have a massive part to play.”

 Everton Premier League fixtures 2016/17 'hoax' confirmed
By Kristian Walsh
Everton were allegedly playing Bournemouth at home in 'leaked' fixture list
June 7 2016 Liverpool Echo
The Premier League have confirmed a ‘leaked’ version of the 2016/17 fixtures, in which Everton started their campaign at home to Bournemouth, is a hoax.  The fixture list for the top flight and all three Football League divisions appeared online this week, revealing the ‘schedule’ of every one of the 92 clubs.  The Blues were set to start their season at Goodison, against Bournemouth, and finish their season away to West Brom.  But both the Premier League and Football League have moved quickly to dampen those rumours, claiming the leak is inaccurate.  A Premier League spokesman said: “We understand the excitement that a new set of Premier League fixtures holds to the fans and media.
“What has been put into the public domain over this last weekend is a hoax.
“We would encourage all fans and media to wait for the official release on 15 June.”
The Football League added on Twitter: “We can confirm the ‘fixture list’ published online at the weekend is a hoax.”  The actual top-flight fixtures will be released on Wednesday at 9am.

Why Everton target Ronald Koeman's imminent departure has angered Southampton so much
7 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Greg O’Keeffe
Southampton reportedly feel they have been misled by Koeman according to South Coast-based media
Southampton aren't very happy with Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman will eventually become Everton's new manager but a sense of anger behind the scenes at Southampton means it won't have happened easily.  The Saints reportedly believe they have been misled by the Dutchman, who they appear to feel gave them assurances he wanted to remain at St Mary's stadium for the final year of his contract.  Media close to the South Coast club, particularly the Daily Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson, suggest that 'Southampton feel deeply let down by the manner of his departure'.  Koeman, who is currently on holiday, is set to be announced as Roberto Martinez's successor this week , possibly in the next 48 hours, with the official unveiling next week.
Southampton's Charlie Austin celebrates with fitness coach Jan Kluitenberg, who appears to be Everton-bound  But the delay in announcing his appointment is understood to be caused by wrangling over the £5m payment Saints want as compensation for losing the 53-year-old, who earned £3.5m-a-year at the club, and to an additional £1.5m for losing his assistant head coach Erwin Koeman, his brother, and fitness coach Jan Kluitenberg.   The anger at Southampton reportedly centres on an interview Koeman gave to BBC Radio Solent on May 13, two days before their final game of the season, which they went on to win 4-1 against Crystal Palace and secure Europa League qualification.  Everton had just dismissed Martinez, and several national papers were reporting that the Blues were keen on Koeman as his replacement, with the former Valencia boss also interested in a move to Merseyside.  "I'm managing at Southampton and have one more year left on my contract," he told Radio Solent. "We have a talk next week and nothing has changed in that respect.  "Nothing has changed of course not. It's not normal if you say one day yes and the next day no."  Pressed on reports he was interested in the newly-vacant position at Goodison he replied: "That's not true. No.  "I was surprised by the newspapers this morning. For me there's no interest because I'm really focused on this Sunday and Southampton."
The journalist continued, asking whether Koeman was happy to see out his final year at St Mary's as he has previpously insisted.  "Yes of course that's not different then it was," he replied.  The Telegraph report that Southampton shared that sense of security and talks were then held about a new five-year plan for the club, as well as the detail of their transfer policy including specific departures and new signings.  They were confident that Koeman was happy and that he was ready to sign a new and improved contract until 2019 that would have made him the highest paid manager in their history.
Wilson writes that approaches had already been made to some of their transfer targets but then, when he returned from holiday last week, it was clear that Koeman wanted to talk to Everton.   'They believe that the money available at Everton – understood to be £7 million a year, as well as the promise of a huge transfer budget – were decisive,' he writes.  Wilson's understanding is that Koeman feels he has had to contend with spending restrictions at Saints, and has a better chance of success with access to Moshiri's millions at Goodison.  He writes, 'Executive director Les Reed plans continuously for the potential loss of staff, as well as players, and already had a short-list of candidates but no appointment is expected imminently'.

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku determined to be The Dude this summer
7 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Greg O’Keeffe
Everton striker leaving nothing to chance with his work-rate in the gym and on training pitch
Another day, another Lukaku interview.
He's not saying anything inflammatory this time (we'll try to avoid hurt feelings over his admission that being sold by Chelsea was so hurtful..because he said as much when he signed for Everton).
But the Everton striker is clearly feeling focused ahead of Belgium's Euro 2016 campaign.
In the clip, filmed by Nike to promote their training range, the 23-year-old discusses his motivation for wanting to take the Championships by storm.  And Lukaku insists he has been doing everything possible in the gym and on the training ground to ensure he is in the right condition to make an impact.
He said: “When I go into the gym I get into the zone. I’m here to work. I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to do business. I want to win. It’s an addiction. I just want to win the Euros, that’s it. Be at my top level at the Euros like the rest of my team-mates.
“I’ve always been a winner since I was a kid, but reality hit me in the face. Get into your dream team as an 18-year-old, don’t get a chance to play. You go back, you think you’re going to play, out again the year after. And then, at the end of the year, you get sold. It’s hard.  “I just wanted an opportunity to play. What is the thing that I’m lacking? What should I do to improve? You need to train to improve yourself. I really train to improve myself every single day because I really wanted to show that I deserve to play."  With Belgium manager Marc Wilmots also able to call upon Divock Origi, Christian Benteke and Michy Batshuayi, Lukaku knows he has to be on top of his game.   Belgium take on Italy, the Republic of Ireland and Sweden in a challenging group at the tournament, but Wilmots’ side will still be hopeful of progressing to the knockout stages, and Lukaku could have a prominent part to play in proceedings.
“Every drill that I do has a specific reason, to give me that five per cent more” he continued. “You need to make sure that you are ready to perform. It’s all about maintenance to make sure that my body stays the same throughout the year.    “I’m at the level where I should be in my career. This year I played 46 games, scored 25 goals, there you go. I’m ready to take over the game. You have to put extra work in. You train how you play, right. If it’s training or a game, I don’t play.  “You can have three players playing for your place, you’d better be that dude. You’d better be that dude that scores the goals.”

Ronald Koeman joins Everton: Dutch manager leaves Southampton to replace Roberto Martinez
Dutch coach ends two-year spell on south coast to move to Goodison Park
June 7 2016 Independent
By James Mariner
Everton and Southampton have agreed a deal for Dutchman Ronald Koeman to take over at Goodison Park.   A fee of approximately £5m will be paid by the Toffees for the services of the 53-year-old, who departs St Mary's after two years.  He acheived two top-10 finishes with the Saints, guding the club into Europe in both of his years there.  He had one year of his contract left to run.
Koeman replaces Roberto Martinez, who was sacked last month after a disappointing campaign. Koeman's brother, Erwin, and fitness coach Jan Kluitenberg will join Ronald on Merseyside.
His managerial record includes spells at Vitesse Arnhem, Ajax, Benfica, PSV Eindhoven, Valencia, AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord, previous to his replacing Mauricio Pochettino in the summer of 2014.
Southampton finished last season sixth after winning 12 of their final 18 matches.

Everton deny Koeman deal to become next manager is complete
7 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Greg O’Keeffe
Contrary to reports, the club have yet to reach an agreement with the Saints boss
Ronald Koeman shouts on the touchline
Everton are denying reports that they have reached a breakthrough in their talks with Southampton over Ronald Koeman's compensation.  The BBC are reporting that the Blues have agreed to pay the South Coast club around £5m, thus paving the way for him to be announced as Roberto Martinez's successor.  But an Everton spokesman denied the report saying it was untrue, as sources close to the deal added: "We are still in discussions   Koeman, 53, who is on holiday, will take brother Erwin and fitness coach Jan Kluitenberg with him to Goodison Park, and that has been part of the reason for the talks between the clubs dragging on.  Earlier today it emerged that the Saints reportedly believe they have been misled by the Dutchman, who they appear to feel gave them assurances he wanted to remain at St Mary's stadium for the final year of his contract.

Everton agree deal for Koeman as new boss announcement nears
7 Jun 2016 Liverpool Echo
By Greg O’Keeffe
Everton and Southampton have settled on a compensation package for Koeman and some of his staff
Ronald Koeman's appointment as Everton boss has moved a step closer after the Blues reached a breakthrough in their compensation talks with Southampton.  The Toffees initially denied the breakthrough had arrived on Tuesday afternoon, but the ECHO understands that the clubs eventually shook hands on an agreement an hour later.  Everton will pay the Saints around £5m to take Koeman, who had a year left on his contract at St Mary's, his assistant coach brother Erwin and fitness coach Jan Kluitenberg to Goodison Park.  Drawn-out negotiations over the compensation due for securing a selection of Koeman's backroom staff had been the cause for delays this week.  But that issue has now been resolved with only personal terms left to be finalised; a task being carried out by Koeman's agent Rob Jansen while the Dutchman is on holiday.    Everton have been without a manager since they sacked Roberto Martinez just before the end of the 2015-16 season.   It is now expected Koeman's appointment will be confirmed by the end of the week, with an official press conference early next week.

Everton land Ronald Koeman after £5m fee is agreed with Southampton
• Dutchman will be joined by two members of coaching staff
• Farhad Moshiri promises biggest transfer budget in club’s history
By Andy Hunter
Tuesday 7 June 2016 20.24 BST
Ronald Koeman is expected to be appointed Everton’s new manager within 48 hours after Southampton accepted a compensation package worth around £5m for the Dutch coach and members of his backroom staff.   Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s major shareholder, identified Koeman as his leading candidate to succeed Roberto Martínez after deciding to end the Catalan’s three-year tenure before the end of last season. The determination to prise Koeman from St Mary’s has led to the British-Iranian billionaire meeting Southampton’s demands after several days of negotiations.  Moshiri has also agreed to pay the former Ajax, Valencia and Benfica coach around £6m a year at Goodison Park and tempted him north with the promise of the biggest transfer budget in Everton’s history. Koeman, 53, will receive substantial funds in addition to the proceeds of Romelu Lukaku’s anticipated sale and possibly that of John Stones. Manchester City and Manchester United are both keen on the England defender.
Everton are likely to confirm their managerial search is over on Wednesday or Thursday, once the fine details of Koeman’s contract have been ratified. The man who guided Southampton to sixth and seventh in the Premier League during his two seasons at St Mary’s is on holiday but negotiations have proceeded with his agent, Rob Jansen.  Koeman will be joined on Merseyside by his brother Erwin and compatriot Jan Kluitenberg, Southampton’s assistant manager and first-team coach respectively. Other members of the back-room team, the former Liverpool player and coach Sammy Lee and the goalkeeping coach Dave Watson are not part of the compensation package agreed with Everton and to remain with Saints.
Southampton finished five places and 16 points above Everton last season, whose second consecutive 11th-place finish coupled with the lowest points total at home since the introduction of three points for a win in 1981 accounted for Martínez. Officials at St Mary’s had been confident Koeman would extend a contract that had only 12 months remaining, and were given some encouragement by their manager in that respect, but Moshiri’s resources and ambition convinced the Dutchman otherwise.  Everton also considered Frank de Boer, Manuel Pellegrini and Unai Emery but Koeman was always the favoured candidate, with Moshiri aiming to revive fortunes and relocate to a new stadium.  De Boer, who stepped down as Ajax’s head coach at the end of last season, may replace Koeman at St Mary’s, although Eddie Howe has admirers at St Mary’s after an impressive first season in the Premier League with Bournemouth.

Everton hope to ease Ronald Koeman's arrival with new contracts for Ross Barkley and John Stones
Ronald Koeman - Everton hope to ease Ronald Koeman's arrival with new contracts for Ross Barkley and John Stones
Ronald Koeman could be a useful mentor to John Stones Credit: Rex
By  Chris Bascombe
7 June 2016 Telegraph
Everton will seek to kickstart their new era under manager-in-waiting Ronald Koeman by renewing Ross Barkley’s contract at the club.
Talks to improve Barkley's current £60,000 a week salary have been long planned this summer, and with Koeman ready to fill the void left by Roberto Martinez securing one the club’s prized assets is an immediate priority.  Numerous clubs covet the England midfielder, but he’s never showed any inclination to leave his boyhood team. New benefactor Farhad Moshiri is proving his ambitions in the managerial pursuit and the same will be applied to retaining and building the key members of the squad.  Koeman will also be seeking talks with defender John Stones at the earliest opportunity after Euro 2016, with Everton hopeful the change of management will convince the youngster to ignore the advances of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Had Martinez remained at Everton, there is little doubt Stones would have renewed his desire to leave Merseyside. Everton are more confident talks with Koeman will have a more positive outcome on the youngster, who would also be in line for a significant pay increase if he committed himself to the club.
Koeman made his name as the ultimate ball-playing centre-half so there is optimism Stone may see a kindred spirit in his new manager. There could be no finer tutor for a player who is learning his trade as a cultured centre-back.  Whether the same urgency will be applied to convincing Romelu Lukaku to stay at Goodison Park remains to be seen, although despite the Belgian’s repeated public requests to be allowed to leave this summer his valuation at around £65 million means there will be tough negotiations ahead for interested parties.  Chelsea are keen to re-sign Lukaku but not at the current asking price, and Everton see no reason why they should compromise. They are under no financial compulsion to sell so in order to force a move the striker must hope a club rates him highly enough to meet his valuation.