By Joe Owens
Everton manager Ronald Koeman may have raised a few eyebrows stating that he believes rivals Liverpool could be champions of the Premier League this season.
Whilst attending the Kick It With Help anti-smoking campaign the Dutchman conceded that the Reds could win the title.
Koeman’s a Kopite… the Everton FC boss backs Liverpool FC for the title – https://t.co/wis3nct95b pic.twitter.com/m6PyHCzrpK
— Everton Forum (@evertonfcforum) November 14, 2016
“It’s still too early to say who will be the favourites, but I have been impressed by Liverpool so far,” Koeman told ESPN FC.
“Maybe that is not what you might expect the Everton manager to say, but they have been playing some very good football and deserve to be at the top.
“They can be champions this season, they have a good chance.”
This is not the first instance in recent times that Everton fans may have been a bit dismayed by their boss’ comments to the media.
Last week the Dutchman revealed Romelu Lukaku was too talented to play for the club he currently manages and that he expected the striker to leave in the future.
“His potential is greater and higher than Everton,” Koeman told Belgian newspaper HLN.
The former Feyenoord trainer’s comments regarding Lukaku may coincide with the fact he believes that the Toffees could do no better this season than to push for a European place.
“It is a long time since Everton were winning trophies and challenging for the title in England,” Koeman said.
“It takes time when you come to a club to get everything you want in place, but I understand that in this game now, you do not always have the time.
“Long-term projects are no longer possible if you do not have success quickly and even though most supporters appreciate a manager should have some time, others can put pressure on the owners and decision makers at clubs who hire and sack managers.”
Despite only moving to Goodison Park in the summer, Koeman seems to already have eyed up his next management role.
“Coaching Netherlands remains one of my ambitions,” he said.
“If I get the chance to coach Netherlands, I would like to take that chance. Becoming Netherlands coach could be a nice end to my career.”
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