Southampton manager Koeman eyes Chelsea managerial job
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has put his name in the hat for the managerial position at Chelsea Football Club. He outlined his ambition by saying that he wants to work at the highest level possible, something which is ‘always at the back of his mind’.
Premier League strugglers, Chelsea are currently managed by Guus Hiddink, who took over from Jose Mourinho back in December. However, the Dutchman has been given the title of the “interim” manager, and is expected to steady the ship for the rest of the season, post which the Blues will appoint a “permanent” manager.
Although Hiddink is in the running, Koeman has expressed his desire to manage the club. He said that a glowing endorsement from his fellow Dutchman to the Chelsea heirarchy and Roman Abramovich will help his cause. The Southampton manager was part of the Netherlands coaching staff under Hiddink during the 1998 World Cup.
“If Guus puts a good word in for me, that would be a big influence,” admitted Koeman.
“I always want to achieve the highest level”
Southampton are currently in the top half after a mini-revival of sorts which sees the club at 10th spot, 5 points above Chelsea, who languish in 14th position just 4 points above the relegation zone.
Koeman has built a good reputation ever since taking over from Mauricio Pochettino, leading the Saints to a respectable 7th spot in his debut season, where he was named manager of the month twice. And now, after acclimatising to the Premier League, he has set his sights to a ‘bigger’ club and struggling Chelsea perfectly fit the bill, according to the 52-year-old.
“It (moving to a big club) is certainly something that I always have at the back of my mind,” the former Ajax manager said. “I always want to achieve the highest possible level. That has happened in Holland and that's what I'd really like to achieve abroad.”
Ronald Koeman has managed teams at the top level before achieving laudable success with Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord and Benfica. With a win percentage of 45.33% with Southampton, he has shown his pedigree in England. The former Barcelona player would now like to make, what he sees, as the next step in his progressing managerial career.
The Chelsea managerial job has been the subject of intense speculation in the last few weeks, with managers like Pep Guardiola, Diego Simeone and Brendan Rodgers linked. The rumours will only increase as we move towards the end of the season without any significant improvement in Chelsea’s results.