Ronald Koeman on the brink as Everton boss admits there are no positives after Arsenal thrashing leaves his team in the relegation zone

It wasn't quite as dramatic as Steve McClaren in Andorra in 2007 but Ronald Koeman's words were the same.

Everton's manager had been explaining why everyone connected with the club should not be thinking negatively, even though they had slithered meekly into the bottom three. 

So he was asked to give an example of what positives should be clung to. It was then he summoned images of McClaren during his ill-fated reign as England manager when the end was approaching.

Everton boss Ronald Koeman looks on during his team's defeat by Arsenal on Sunday

Everton boss Ronald Koeman looks on during his team's defeat by Arsenal on Sunday

Wayne Rooney and his team-mates show their dejection after Arsenal's second goal

Wayne Rooney and his team-mates show their dejection after Arsenal's second goal

'Don't talk about positives,' Koeman said bluntly. 'The final result is 5-2, a defeat at home. Write what you like to write.' With that, he headed briskly out of Goodison Park's press auditorium. 


Many will wonder whether the path now leads to an exit full stop following another meek performance from his nightmares. Koeman is on the brink. He was spared the fury of Evertonians at the final whistle, as the ground had been emptying since Alexander Lacazette made it 3-1 in the 74th minute with only a hard few staying to the bitter end.

But the ill-feeling to him from supporters is impossible to ignore and now major shareholder Farhad Moshiri and Chairman Bill Kenwright - both of whom squirmed in the Directors Box as Everton capitulated - face a big decision.

If Moshiri trusts Koeman to turn this around, he should say so. The reality, however, is this will prove a defining day in his 14-month reign, as Everton are going backwards; this was not the picture Moshiri expected to be painted after investing £150million Steve Walsh, the club's Director of Football, cannot escape criticism for the summer transfer policy that failed to see Everton land the striker they desperately needed. Even without regular goals, Koeman insists he can turn it around.

Everton players can only watch as Alexis Sanchez's (right) strike nestles in the bottom corner

Everton players can only watch as Alexis Sanchez's (right) strike nestles in the bottom corner

Everton's Nikola Valasic holds his head in his hands at the full-time whistle on Sunday

Everton's Nikola Valasic holds his head in his hands at the full-time whistle on Sunday

'I spoke to the players and everybody is disappointed,' said Koeman. 'It's how you look at the situation. If you start to think negatively then maybe there is no solution. But I am not like that.

'But okay, once again it's all rumours and newspapers (talking about his future) but that's normal. I mentioned last Friday that it's normal. The team is underperforming and in a difficult situation mentally, they are struggling for confidence.

'That's what we need to change. I still personally believe that I can change the whole situation. But everybody knows how it works in football. But okay, that's only what I am answering about this question. Ask somebody else.' 

He will have had correspondence with Moshiri and Kenwright on Sunday night and all will become clear in the next few days as to whether they are ready to look for somebody new or allow Koeman to limp on.

An Everton fan gestures towards  Koeman after the visitors bagged their fifth goal at Goodison

An Everton fan gestures towards Koeman after the visitors bagged their fifth goal at Goodison

'The final result is a big defeat,' he said. “We started well but even in the beginning we had difficulties stopping Arsenal creating chances and the role (Alexis) Sanchez was in made him really difficult to stop.

'We stayed in the game and were a bit unlucky to concede the 1-1. Arsenal had already had some chances before that, but the way they made it 1-1 before half-time was disappointing.

'We had to change something to stop them, and the first 10 minutes after half-time was better. It was a good counter-attack, a one-two and then came the sending off of (Idrissa) Gana and that makes it really difficult.

'It was already difficult 11 v 11, so it was even more difficult, impossible 10 against 11.' It might also be impossible for Koeman to arrest this slide.