Ronald Koeman took time out from a hectic first pre-season with the Blues to tell Everton magazine about how the squad is shaping up, the upcoming trip to Germany and how he doesn’t pay any attention to transfer speculation...
First of all Ronald, how was the recent training camp in Austria?
It was very good. It was a nice place and the hotel was very good although maybe the weather wasn’t what we expected. But the temperature was fantastic to train in and the pitch we used was wonderful.
There was a lot of rain over there - did that affect your training sessions?
No, not really because their pitches are used to having that kind of rain and it’s Liverpool-weather so it wasn’t a big change! It’s better than hot weather with high temperatures because that makes it more difficult to do your physical part of the pre-season.
How important was it for you and the new staff to spend some quality time away with the players?
That’s always good because we have time to talk and we have time to do meetings and, with a new technical staff and a new manager, it’s good for us to learn about the players, about the character of the players. It also gives us a good feel about our under-21 players and that’s good because it makes decisions about the future and about the season when it starts much easier. We are very pleased to be part of Everton, a great club with a great history. We want the lads to show also that they are really happy to play for Everton because that makes the business a little bit more easy.
Do you enjoy pre-season?
Yes, I do because pre-season is always a period that you like to get back to after a good summer away. There is no pressure in pre-season, everyone gets an opportunity to start afresh and that makes it easy for the manager. You plan the football exercises and the physical exercises over five weeks and you can then be ready for the start of the Premier League.
Obviously, we’ve just had the Euros which means that you haven’t got all your squad back at the same time...
This story is from the July 2015-16 edition of Everton Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2015-16 edition of Everton Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Bringing The Right Chemistry
Soon after Sam Allardyce was confirmed as the new manager of Everton Football Club, his most trusted lieutenants followed him through the door at USM Finch Farm. In assistant manager Sammy Lee and first-team coach Craig Shakespeare, the Toffees boss has added two of the most highly-regarded coaches in football to his backroom team. Everton magazine sat down with the duo to discover how they will use their collective knowledge to boost the Blues
Academy Success Continues
Everton’s proud list of Academy graduates expanded again recently, with several names added to the ever-growing board at USM Finch Farm.
Changing Track
“To be honest, I didn’t really get much sleep after the match. It was an amazing night that I will remember for the rest of my career… it was really, really special.”
Setting New Goals
A Club legend due to his attacking exploits during his playing career, Duncan Ferguson is on the right path to make his name in coaching – and believes he is in the right place to do it.
Scouse And Proud
After a 2016 in which he took giant leaps, teenager Tom Davies seemingly has the footballing world at his feet. Primed to make a big impact in the years ahead, he says there is no place he would rather call home…
Blue Girls
Two female Evertonians are making waves in their respective disciplines. Molly McCann – or Meatball to her friends – is a Mixed Martial Arts fighter with her sights set on the UFC while cricketer, Sophie Eccelstone, made her senior England debut aged just 17 earlier this year.
Eitc's Armed Forces Recognition
Eitc's Armed Forces Recognition
Bolasie Will Return 'Hungry And Refreshed'
Bolasie Will Return 'Hungry And Refreshed'
Improving Accessibility At Goodison
Improving Accessibility At Goodison
Alan Kelly
New Everton goalkeeper coach Alan Kelly has had an eventful first few weeks in a role which has seen him once again follow in his father’s footsteps…
