Can Koeman lead Everton to the promised land?

In Roberto Martinez's introductory press conference Everton chairman Bill Kenwright said the first words from the Spaniard were, "I'm going to get you into the Champions League." However, other than his first season in charge when Martinez led Everton to a 5th place finish, Everton has not come close to fulfilling his promise. After an 11th place finish last season, Martinez was sacked and Everton started to search for the manager that would lead them into a new era under investor Farhad Moshiri.

Article by Kevin Harris

After rumours swirling around hinting at the likes of Frank de Boer, Manuel Pellegrini, Joachim Low, and countless others, Southampton manager Ronald Koeman was hired to lead Everton Football Club. He left St. Mary's with one year left on his deal, after him and the Southampton board could not agree to a new deal.

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Koeman in his reasoning for leaving Southampton to manage on Merseyside said, "In football you need ambition. A new project can give you a new challenge, a new spirit.

He certainly has the full support of the board at Everton. Moshiri is rumoured to have made available a £100 million transfer kitty in order for the Dutchman to bring in what he feels is needed to complete the squad. Already some big names have been thrown around and linked to Everton including, Alex Witsel, Wesley Sneijder, and Simone Zaza.

While new talent definitely needs to be brought into Goodison Park, if the club is to improve and have a successful season, Koeman's first matter of business needs to be holding onto John Stones and Romelu Lukaku.

Stones, one of the most talked about and talented young defenders in football has been linked to elite clubs such as Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea. Any club hoping for a chance at gaining his services will certainly need a big sum of money to have a chance at the English defender. The 22-year old still has three years left on a five-year deal. This, combined with the new financial situation at Goodison Park, means that Everton does not necessarily have to let the youngster leave and will not do so if the price is not right.

Lukaku has been expressing interest to leave for a while now and the finish to this season certainly did not help him want to stay. With big name clubs like AC Milan, PSG, Arsenal, and Chelsea all being linked to wanting the 23-year old striker, Chairman Bill Kenwright has informed the young Belgian that he will not be leaving if the deal is not a good one.

If Koeman can come in and convince these two talented young players that the future is bright on Merseyside it could go a long way in showing other players in England and around Europe that Everton means business and will not settle for the mediocrity of the past.

Koeman comes into a job with a board willing to spend and a club that for the first time in recent memory isn't looking to sell, but rather to buy. Koeman took a team in Southampton that was a seller and not a buyer and overachieved with them. Even leading them to the Europa League last season.

The Dutch icon has experience both playing for and managing big clubs such as Barcelona, Ajax, and Feyenrood. He was also capped by his country 78 times while representing them in 2 European Championships as well as 2 World Cups.

Koeman's managing style of playing from the back will suit Everton well. They have two full backs in Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines who can go forward in possession as well as James McCarthy in defensive midfield who has good possession and passing ability. Also, if Koeman can manage to hang onto Stones he will have a center back who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and can orchestrate offensive attacks.

Koeman will likely have the most success if he runs a 4-2-3-1. With Baines and Coleman at Fullback, Stones and Ramiro Funes Mori at center back, Gareth Barry and McCarthy as defensive midfielders. Kevin Mirallas and Gerard Deulofeu on each wing and Ross Barkley tucked in behind Lukaku in attack. This lineup would give the Toffees a good mix of veteran leadership along with youth and energy.

While Koeman was not one of the big names Everton was originally linked to he is still a very suitable manager. He has had success all across Europe both as a player and a manager. With the financial backing of the board and the talent he has at the club there is no question Koeman could be lifting trophies in no time.