Everton's Koeman did a magnificent job at Southampton - but could face hostile receptionDaily Echo reporter Adam Leitch tells us what could lay in store on Koeman's return to St Mary's on SundayAhead of Ronald Koeman’s return to Southampton for the first time since leaving for Everton in the summer we caught up with a reporter who followed his every step at St Mary’s.
The Southern Daily Echo’s chief sports writer Adam Leitch has covered the Saints for over 10 years and has given us his take on Koeman’s departure, the reception he can expect on Sunday and his thoughts on the game.
Acrimony surrounded Koeman’s departure to Everton in June - how surprised and disappointed were Southampton fans to see him leave?
I think very and very sums it up.
Ronald had always been a person who spoke of the importance of loyalty and had a history of seeing out his contracts.
He never made any promise of what would happen beyond the initial three years he had signed for at Saints, but nobody really expected him to depart a year early.
Of course, part of the reason people are so upset is because he was so successful and so popular.
Ronald Koeman speaks during his first press conference as Everton manager
What sort of reception would you expect Koeman to receive from the home fans on Sunday?
I fear that it will be pretty hostile.
When you step aside from the raw emotion of his departure, you have to reflect that he did a truly magnificent job at Saints.
To lead them to seventh and sixth in back-to-back seasons, qualify them for the group stages of the Europa League, and all that having had to totally rebuild the squad seems even more remarkable now on reflection than it even did at the time.
However, the way he left was seen as somewhat of an abuse of trust as people believed he would stay for at least the final year of his contract. That is more likely to be the overriding emotion on Sunday, even though you could argue his contribution deserves better than that.
Ronald Koeman back when he was Southampton boss.
What have you made of Everton’s start to the season - did you expect Koeman to have done more in the opening 12 games?
I think everybody down here expected him to do much more in the transfer market.
One of the big reasons everybody had chalked up for his move to Everton was the limit of where he could take Saints with their transfer budget and all this cash Everton were going to throw at it.
Then John Stones was sold and there was an expectation it was going to be some mad transfer dash, building this colossal squad, but in the summer at least that never seemed to happen.
Without that, and from a distance, his task always looked hard.
Ronald Koeman poses for a photo after his first press conference as Everton manager at Finch Farm on June 17, 2016
Were you surprised to see Koeman make Stekelenburg his first signing? How did he fare at St Mary’s?
It was somewhat of a surprise as he was really only brought in as cover when Fraser Forster was injured, and as soon as Forster was fit again that was basically it for him.
The fact Stekelenburg was signed and Cuco Martina would have moved from Saints too had it not been for Jeremy Pied’s injury underlines my previous point. These were not massive signings but the back-up options during his time at Saints.
As for how Stekelenburg did, he was solid. Not spectacular but a safe enough pair of hands for a short period while Forster was out, but there was no doubting who was the first choice.
Southampton fan Q&A - Ronald Koeman will face a hostile atmosphere after 'backwards' Everton move
What are your predictions for Sunday’s game?
It’s tough to call with Saints playing in Europe on the Thursday night.
I think that the atmosphere will likely help Saints so I will go for a 2-1 home win, but in truth no result would be a huge surprise.
Liv Echo
