Romelu Lukaku’s ambition is the same as Ronald Koeman’s | Daniel Taylor

Mar 18, 2017

Everton manager has readily changed clubs to further his own career and this response to Lukaku’s desire to move shows an all too common double standard

They were nine games into the Eredivisie season when Valencia came calling for Ronald Koeman in October 2007. PSV Eindhoven, the team he had led to the Dutch title, had won seven and drawn two and were enjoying the view from the top of the table. Yet Koeman had always wanted to manage in Spain and the relevant people at PSV were candid enough to realise Valencia was an upgrade. Jan Reker, PSV’s general director, would later say: “Our question to Valencia was: ‘Can’t this wait until next year?’”

The answer was a polite no. Valencia’s information was that Koeman wanted to go. He signed a three-year contract at the Mestalla and there was no attempt from PSV to block the move. Koeman wanted to advance his career and he went with their best wishes. “Ronald has always said he dreamed of coaching a top club in Spain,” Reker explained. “We respect that. This is a dream club for him and they didn’t want to wait. It’s a pity for PSV but the ultimate challenge for Ronald. I was a coach myself and when you have a dream, you must take it when it comes.”

Tags: Everton Football Romelu Lukaku Ronald Koeman Sport