The ITK on Saintsweb said a few days ago the shortlist had three names, all of them were foreign. I think that would rule out Moyes. Not sure whether Laudrup or Garcia count.
My gut feeling on this is that the club sounded out Koeman months ago and it's pretty much a done deal. I believe the timing of the announcement is the key. Too early and the transfer talk begins again in earnest prior to the world cup and the buying clubs will be banging on our door again. Leave it too late and potentially targets we might have our eye could go elsewhere this week.
Someone on Echo Saints Forum, who normally slaps rumours down, is convinced Koeman has been at Staplewood today. Maybe.
I stuck a few quid on Koeman when it was still 5/1, so I hope he gets the job. My winnings aside, I think he's the right type of manager for us and could have very useful contacts. He's an attack minded manager who recognises the value in youth and seems to enjoy developing players rather than just buying them in, which fits Saints philosophy. I really hope we don't end up with Moyes......I just don't think he's a good fit for us, whatever 'success' he had with Everton.
Koeman is the kind of high profile name that will steady the nerves of everyone associated with Saints and will get the media hounds off of our backs. I really hope he gets appointed as talk about a "meltdown" and "lack of ambition" will subside and we can move forward to pre season, galvanized and with fresh hope.
It'll be great to have a manager that is in his own way as threatening a presence at the club as Cortese. He could chew off Brendy Rogers head and spit out the teeth.
Koeman is in England. Arrived on a KLM flight at around 09:00 yesterday. Could tie in with those saying he was shown around yesterday? Source: Dutch bloke who saw him on the flight himself. KLM 1009 apparently.
