http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/new-southampton-boss-ronald-koeman-3706461
As the cheers rang out from the raucous crowd, the TV cameras panned across the players standing in the centre circle, stopping on 22-year-old midfielder Jordy Clasie, who stood wiping tears from his eyes.
“He taught me to be a leader and showed me how and when I could put pressure on the ball and the opponent, he explained how I could get the best tactically,” said Clasie, with a croak in his voice.
That a man can be so highly revered at a traditionally giant club without delivering any silverware is a great testament to his excellent work.
Having won several domestic trophies with Ajax, PSV and Barcelona as well as European Cups with the latter two and having helped his country to the Euro 1988 title, Koeman entered management as an already high-profile and well respected figure.
A disciple of Johan Cruyff, Louis van Gaal and Guus Hiddink, his education was simply astounding and set him up perfectly to make the jump.
In a similar mould to the masters under whom he studied, Koeman has become a coach who champions attacking football, has great faith in youth and follows the Dutch philosophy of ability and talent being proof of worthiness alone, not strength, height or even age.
As well as an excellent man-manager, he is very wise tactically, having piloted the 5-3-2 system this season with Feyenoord, the formation the Netherlands used to dismantle Spain 5-1 in the World Cup this month.
He also takes young talented players and makes them better, more technical and intelligent. In fact, five of the 23-man Netherlands squad for the World Cup came from Koeman’s Feyenoord. He has great admiration for technically proficient and intelligent players who can play with speed and move the ball around well.
He leaves having guided the club to Champions League football and given them hope that a bright future lies ahead. They are back fighting at the top of the table, and for that they thank Koeman.
It is no surprise then that he was tipped to be the man who would succeed Van Gaal at the national team. He was overlooked for the job in favour of Hiddink, but now he heads to the Premier League to show that the KNVB’s loss is set to be Southampton’s gain.
With a club that can provide these basic luxuries, Koeman can be a success. And so, as the Dutchman was unveiled as the new Southampton manager, fans should welcome the appointment.
Especially as he comes as part of a trio alongside his brother Erwin, a well-respected and thoroughly admirable coach, and Jan Kluitenburg, whom he worked with at Feyenoord, as assistant first-team coach.
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