Everton sacked manager Ronald Koeman last month after a torrid start to the season.
Southampton midfielder Steven Davis has told the Daily Star that he expected Ronald Koeman to excel at Everton – and backed him to return to football quickly.
Koeman, 54, enjoyed a superb spell with Southampton, winning almost 50% of his games following a 2014 move from Dutch side Feyenoord.
The former Barcelona hero left the Saints for a controversial move to Everton in 2016, with Saints fans far from impressed that he had taken what was perceived as a sideways step.
Koeman’s first season with Everton featured a top-seven finish, and after considerable financial backing over the summer, he appeared poised to prove his detractors wrong.
However, even after adding the likes of Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Davy Klaassen, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney, Koeman struggled this term, and after five defeats in the first nine Premier League outings, Koeman lost his job.
Everton are now searching for a new manager, and Southampton fans may be somewhat amused by Koeman’s fall from grace this season, but one of his former players has admitted his surprise.
Midfielder Steven Davis has told the Daily Star that he expected Koeman to do well with Everton, having seen him excel at Southampton – but a results-driven business means that the Dutchman had to go.
Davis also backed Koeman for a swift return to management, given that Koeman has already been touted for the Netherlands job following Dick Advocaat’s departure.
“I expected him to go there and do very well,” said Davis. “It is obviously a results-driven business and the decision was made. He has been at some top, top clubs and coached some top, top players. I will not be surprised to see him back in the game. I am sure it is only a matter of time,” he added.
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