Everton have confirmed the appointment of Ronald Koeman as manager on a three-year contract keeping him at the club until June 2019.
A European Cup winner as a player at Barcelona and winner of the European Championship with the Netherlands, Koeman has won eight trophies as a manager including three Dutch Eredivisie titles, the KNVB (Dutch) Cup and the Copa Del Rey in Spain, reports the Everton website.
During his two year spell with Southampton, Koeman has led the Saints to seventh and sixth-place finishing in the Premier League and help them qualify for the Europa League.
Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright expressed his delight at signing their first choice pick to manage the club, he went on to praise the 53-year-old for what he has accomplished as a manager.
‘We are really pleased to have secured the man who was our No.1 target from the moment we set out to appoint a new manager,’ Kenwright said.
‘Ronald has such a strong track record in the game, instantly commanding respect for what he achieved as a player and for his qualities and accomplishments as a manager.
‘The hopes and aspirations that we all have as Evertonians are with him, as is our total support at Board, shareholder and fan level.’
Koeman insists that this is a proud moment for him, because he is joining a club with great history and real ambition.
‘I am very excited to be Everton manager. I believe in the Club, in the team, in the fans and in our ability to achieve things in the future,’ Koeman said
‘Everton is a club with a great history and real ambition and it is a proud feeling for me to be part of what we want to go and do, together with the Chairman and Farhad Moshiri.
‘I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the Club and to preparing for a big season in the Premier League.’
Image: Everton website