The Everton boss has angered some fans with his comments.
Talksport pundit Dean Ashton has slammed Everton manager Ronald Koeman over his comments about Romelu Lukaku.
Koeman was quoted as saying by Belgian newspaper HLN: “His potential is greater and higher than Everton as a final destination.
“If Romelu was to play at Everton until the end of his career I know he has left something behind.”
Koeman’s words, which came days after Everton’s 5-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea, have unsurprisingly caused outrage among supporters.
And Ashton, the former West Ham United and England striker, agrees that the Dutchman has crossed the line.
“Let me just get out the ancient book of rules,” he said during Thursday’s Jim White Show. “Rule number 1 says don’t make out that your club is small. You just don’t do it.”
Ashton also feels that Koeman’s comments about Lukaku have inadvertently uncovered his own plans for the future, being a former Barcelona player, and assistant coach, himself.
He added: “I think there’s a hint of… Koeman played for Barcelona, and I think Koeman thinks that he’s probably better than Everton and the end game for him is Barcelona. But surely he must know he can’t say things like that.”
Everton owner Farhad Moshiri later told Talksport that Koeman’s words had been taken out of context.
Lukaku has scored 68 goals in 138 games for Everton since arriving from Chelsea, initially on loan, in 2013.
The Blues were among a handful of clubs, including Manchester United and Bayern Munich, said to have been keen on the Belgian’s services during the summer transfer window, although nothing materialised.
According to the BBC, Everton have indicated they are willing to offer Lukaku a long-term contract that would make him their highest-paid player.
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