Simon Jordan suggests Ronald Koeman was sacked for ‘behind the scenes’ problem at Everton
Simon Jordan has hinted at previously unknown reasons in Ronald Koeman’s private life leading to his sacking from Everton in 2017.
The Dutchman was fired after a 5-2 loss to Arsenal saw the club fall into the relegation zone, with Bill Kenwright reportedly arriving at the training ground unexpectedly to deliver the news (BBC).
But speaking live on talkSPORT on Friday (January 21st, 10.45am), the former Crystal Palace chairman alluded to other factors when he said during a discussion about the recent record of managers at Goodison: “Hold on, Koeman didn’t fail. There were other aspects of Koeman’s make up that caused a problem at Everton.
“We all know what was going on behind the scenes and it’s not our gift to say on air what’s happening with Ronald Koeman in his private life.”
Open secret
The former Southampton boss went on to manage the Dutch national team and Barcelona to differing degrees of success after departing from Goodison Park, while an ill-fated caretaker spell in charge for David Unsworth preceded Sam Allardyce being brought in to see the Toffees avoid relegation.
The heavy transfer spend, without corresponding results on the pitch, that is being discussed again now after the firing of Rafael Benitez, was a focus that season also, with Davy Klaassen, Jordan Pickford and Gylfi Sigurdsson all being brought in for big money.
During his time as Netherlands boss the Liverpool Echo reported that Koeman still believed he was sacked too early on Merseyside, saying: “Yeah, ok, I feel like why on that moment? Because sometimes that kind of decision is taken too quick, too early”.
But if what Jordan alluded to played a role, there may have been a reason other than just the team’s on-pitch performance that saw the Dutchman leave.
The pundit’s suggestion that “we all know” about what happened implies that there is common knowledge among footballing circles that there was another element involved.
Fans will wonder what that could have been, as it might explain the dramatic drop off from his first season at the club which saw them secure European qualification.
If it is a private matter it would probably be better if Jordan had not mentioned it, mysteriously, live on the radio, but it serves as a reminder that players and managers are people with personal lives that cannot always be separated from their jobs.
In other Everton news, this first team star has spoken about the effect of this important club figure.