The Everton captain believes Koeman is the right man to lead a recovery after a poor couple of years.
Everton captain Phil Jagielka has told evertontv that new manager Ronald Koeman has already proven himself to be “a fantastic coach” and admits that the players are feeling optimistic over what the season has in store.
Koeman was appointed as Roberto Martinez’s successor earlier this summer and is getting his first look at his new players as the squad return for pre-season training.
The Dutch boss was a big hit at Southampton after taking over from Mauricio Pochettino in 2014, and led the Saints to their highest league finish in 31 years last term as he guided them to sixth and Europa League qualification.
However, he then decided to leave St. Mary’s for the challenge of attempting to rebuild Everton and he has largely been heralded as an excellent appointment by the Toffees.
Jagielka certainly has faith in the new man, telling evertontv that Koeman’s appointment has got the players excited about what the future may hold.
The 33-year-old said: “We’re massively looking forward to getting to know the manager and his staff. We have all been in contact over the summer while we were waiting for the announcement to be made. We’re now looking forward to coming back.
“There’s a few of the lads still to come back in but it’s nice to say hello to a few people, meet the new members of staff and we just want to get the football going now as quickly as possible.
“He [Koeman] was obviously a fantastic player and he’s proven to be a fantastic coach. Hopefully he can put his ways forward to the team with his coaching staff and we can have a positive season.”
Koeman has already begun to put his own stamp on the Merseyside club, making Fulham goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg his first signing at Goodison Park and allowing club stalwarts Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert to leave.
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