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Koeman shunning Everton in anticipation of Arsenal call

| 19.05.2016

There is a very Oranje feel to the top of the betting to be Everton’s next permanent manager, but it seems as if at least one of the two Dutchman leading the way won’t be heading to Goodison Park.

Ronald Koeman is the 4/1 second favourite to countryman Frank de Boer’s pace-setting price of 7/4. However, reports emerging from the Daily Mirror suggest the Southampton manager should be far longer in Ladbrokes’ market.

According to the paper, Koeman will decline the chance to manage the Toffees and remain at the St Mary’s for at least another year, with an eye cast towards landing a job with a bigger side further down the line.

Although the red top stops short of naming any of the lofty sides the 53-year-old may wish to reach for, it’s reasonable to assume Arsenal are one of them.

The Gunners will be at a managerial crossroads next summer, when the contract of their long-standing manager, Arsene Wenger, is set to expire.

For many fans of the north London side that will be the time to move on from the Frenchman and Koeman, who has impressed in two seasons on the south-coast, will be a leading candidate to succeed him.

In both campaigns the former Barcelona star has manned, Southampton have had to weather a raft of player sales. Twice the Dutchman has improved on the prior season’s finishing position.

This season the Saints finished sixth despite losing Morgan Schneiderlin and Nathaniel Clyne to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively. Last year, Koeman secured seventh spot after watching Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Calum Chambers and Rickie Lambert walk away.

Upheaval of that nature is alien at the Emirates and with a more talented and settled squad, Koeman would fancy his chances at securing some silverware should he take over.

The Gunners are currently priced up at 11/2 to win the Premier League next season, in what could be Wenger’s swansong after 21 seasons in charge of the club.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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Author

Matt Wiggins

No idyllic sound comes close to leather on willow for Matt, whose previous experience includes stints with Spin Magazine and Surrey County Cricket Club. It's not just cricket that interests him though, with football, golf, tennis and any American sport not played on ice all high on his list of favourites.