Ronaldo Koeman Appointed New Southampton Manager

Koeman Appointed New Southampton Manager

Southampton have appointed Ronaldo Koeman as their new manager.

The 51-year-old, who scored Barcelona's winner in the 1992 European Cup final and was part of Holland's 1988 European Championship-winning squad, has signed a three-year contract.

Koeman's predecessor, Mauricio Pochettino, left the Saints to become Tottenham's new manager last month and the club have opted for another continental coach.

Koeman said:

"I am thrilled to be the manager of Southampton Football Club.

"From my very first meeting with Les Reed, I could see clearly that this was the right club for me. We share the same philosophy of football, and the same belief in how to develop the club.

"Southampton have a talented first-team squad, a world-class academy and the infrastructure to sustain success in the Premier League.

"The opportunity to continue the development of this famous football club was simply too good to turn down. I cannot wait to get started."

Koeman stepped down as Feyenoord boss at the end of last season, eager to manage in a different country.

He guided Benfica to the Champions League quarter-finals in 2006, defeating Manchester United and Liverpool in the process, and won three Eredivisie titles with Ajax and PSV Eindhoven.

Koeman's appointment could bring a swift conclusion to Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw's futures once England's World Cup campaign begins. Southampton have rejected offers from Liverpool for Lallana and Manchester United for Shaw.

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