Koeman brothers set to take over at Southampton

Former-Holland international Ronald Koeman looks set to be the next Southampton boss

According to Sky Sports, Dutch brothers Erwin and Ronald Koeman are set to become the new managerial team at Southampton.

Ronald looks set to become Saints boss, while Erwin is set to take up the role as assistant boss.

Close

The deal is reportedly close to being completed and Sky claim that it could be done in the next couple of days.

The brother’s agents have confirmed that a deal is close for the pair.

Ronald Koeman’s agent Guido Albers told Voetbal International: “He wants to make a next step in his career at an ambitious club with possibilities. Southampton fits in that profile.

“Pochettino made a solid base and Ronald is the ideal candidate to build the squad from there.”

While Erwin Koeman’s agent Kees Ploegsma revealed: “It’s correct that there are talks. They want Ronald to be manager and his brother Erwin as his assistant.”

Experienced

Both men are highly experienced bosses in their own right. Ronald has enjoyed a slightly more illustrious career as a boss than his brother, having managed the likes of Ajax, Benfica, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord.

Erwin also has pretty good experience though having managed, Feyenoord, FC Twente and RKC Waalwijk in his homeland, as well as the Hungarian national team.

Successful

Ronald Koeman has been pretty successful in his managerial career so far, winning two Eredivisie titles with Ajax and one with PSV. However, the last notable piece of silverware Koeman won was in 2008, when he won the Copa del Rey with Valencia.

His brother has been slightly less successful at winning silverware during his managerial career, as he has yet to claim a trophy. He will though add his experience of European football to the managerial set-up, which could prove be vital.

Gamble

Ronald Koeman is a legend back in Holland, mostly from his playing days. However, his appointment will be gamble, considering the fact he that he has not previously managed in the Premier League. His stints and Portugal and Spain were not exactly fantastic, so he will have a lot to prove in the English top-flight.

Southampton wanted to continue in the same vein as they were under former-boss Mauricio Pochettino, so were always going to go for a continental boss, rather than a home-grown one.

Linked

A number of bosses were linked with the vacancy. Including the likes of former-Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood and former-Manchester United boss David Moyes. There was even a suggestion that former-Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini could take over at St Marys, after the Italian left Turkish giants Galatasaray.

In the end though, it looks to be Ronald Koeman who will be sitting in the Southampton dugout next season.

Challenge

It will be a challenge for Koeman to keep the Saints moving forward next season. Mauricio Pochettino and before him Nigel Adkins have helped the club move forward majorly in recent years.

It cannot be forgotten that Adkins guided the south coast club from League One to the Premier League, before being replaced by Pochettino in the clubs first season back in the top-flight. The Argentinian then took the Saints to the next level, playing wise.

His possession-based passing game brought the Saints survival in his first half season in charge, before helping the south coast club to eighth in the top-flight table last season.

The fans will now expect the same style of play from Southampton next season. However, the new Saints boss may have a major problem. They have already lost talisman Rickie Lambert to Liverpool and a number of their best players are being heavily linked with moves elsewhere this summer.

Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Luke Shaw and Jay Rodriguez have all been linked with big money moves elsewhere this summer. If Koeman can keep the squad together and add to it then he may just have a chance of being successful at St Marys, if not then the team from the south coast may struggle.

Unknown

I have to admit I am not sure whether Koeman is a good appointment for Southampton or not at the moment. However, he does have a good knowledge of European football and vast experience as both a player and a manager.

Another key is that the Saints hierarchy have made good choices with their last two bosses. Whether it will be three out of three only time will tell, especially as many of the people behind the scenes at Southampton have now changed.

If I was a Saints fan I would not be too disappointed with Koeman’s appointment. The Dutchman is likely to have lots of contacts in his homeland and beyond. I just hope for Southampton fans sake that the Dutchman is a success.

Is Ronald Koeman the right man to keep Saints progressing?