Koeman set for Toffees switch

Ronald Koeman is poised to become the new Everton manager on a lucrative long-term contract. 

The 53-year-old Dutchman emerged as the early front-runner for the vacancy at Goodison Park but initially appeared committed to seeing out the remaining year of his contract with Southampton. 

However, Koeman's head has now been turned by the prospect of a significant transfer kitty being available on Merseyside following a recent cash injection by ambitious majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri and he looks set to bring to an end his two year stay on the South Coast.

The news will come as another bitter blow to Southampton who have seen this all before, with Mauricio Pochettino lured to Tottenham in similar circumstances back in 2014.  The Saints struck gold in appointing Koeman, who led the club to a magnificent 6th place league finish last campaign, and his impressive work on limited resources has now attracted the attention of the Goodison Park board.  Despite being linked with a host of names in recent weeks, including Unai Emery, Frank de Boer and David Moyes, Koeman remained the number one target and the Toffees now appear on the brink of landing their man.

Following an illustrious playing career, Koeman took his first steps on the managerial ladder in 2001 with former club Ajax, claiming a domestic double in his first season in charge.  His managerial career has taken him to Benfica, PSV, Valencia, AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord before Southampton brought him to England to succeed Pochettino.  Despite losing a string of key players, Koeman has impressed with the style of football, his player recruitment and the league success he has achieved at St Mary's.  It now seems that the prospect of revitalising the fortunes of a talented Everton side who underachieved under Roberto Martinez last season will be the next challenge for the confident Dutchman.  Heavily linked in recent months as a potential successor to Arsene Wenger, should the Frenchman end his 21 year association with Arsenal at the end of his contract next season, Koeman appears unwilling to wait to see what materialises at the Emirates.  As he strives to one day achieve the aim of managing former club Barcelona, Goodison Park appears to be the next step on the road to the Nou Camp.