Everton manager Ronald Koeman backed by Farhad Moshiri as chairman makes rare visit to training ground

• e-mail

Farhad Moshiri made a rare and unexpected visit to Finch Farm on Friday in a show of support to under-pressure Everton manager Ronald Koeman.

Moshiri, Everton's majority shareholder, was joined by chairman Bill Kenwright at the club's training facility to primarily discuss plans for the proposed new riverfront stadium.

Moshiri has attended a number of matches at Goodison Park but he has barely set foot in Finch Farm since he acquired a 49.9 per cent controlling stake in February 2016.

Farhad Moshiri made an unexpected visit to Finch Farm on Friday to back Ronald Koeman

Koeman has come under increasing fire in recent weeks amid Everton's poor performances

They also took the opportunity to speak with Koeman, who has come under increasing fire in recent weeks as Everton's results and performances have spiralled. His position is not under immediate threat but the Dutchman is aware of the importance to oversee an upturn in results.

A campaign has started in Holland, headed by De Telegraaf - the newspaper in which Koeman has a column - to get the 54-year-old to take charge of the national team following their failure to qualify for the World Cup.

Some have wondered whether the lure of trying to help revive his country's fortunes would provide Koeman with an escape route that he would be only too happy to accept, but asked if there was a possibility of him saying yes if he received a call from the Dutch FA, Koeman replied: 'No way.'

Moshiri was joined by chairman Bill Kenwright to discuss plans for proposed new stadium

Koeman played down speculation he would leave to become Holland's new manager

'I am not surprised they put my name in because they did the same some years ago,' added Koeman, who is expected to recall Wayne Rooney at the Amex Stadium.

'I am not surprised but I am Everton manager. That's the most important [thing] and nothing else.

'It's not realistic now because we have other business to do with Everton. We need to win, and we need to change our situation in the table. That starts this Sunday. That's the priority for me for the long term.'

Everton travel to Brighton on Sunday needing a win to get their faltering season back on track

The reality, however, is that Everton have considerable work to do if they are to emerge from their next sequence – which includes a Europa League double-header against Lyon, a trip to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and a clash with Arsenal – unscathed. Koeman is worried about confidence.

'I saw the reactions of the players when Burnley scored the goal and it was "s*** again!", doubting, mentally,' said Koeman, whose side were beaten 1-0 in the last fixture before the international break.

'It's difficult when out of one chance, they score a goal. You try to give the confidence in training sessions to support the players.'