Defiant Ronald Koeman insists he has what it takes to turn around Everton ’s fortunes — and that he has the full backing of the players.
Koeman’s team were booed off after Sunday’s 1-0 home defeat by Burnley and enter the October international break just two points and two places above the relegation zone.
The Blues' boss admitted before the game that his job would be under threat if he failed to improve the results of a side who have under-performed despite nearly £150million of summer spending.
But they have now won just two of their last 10 matches in all competitions and Koeman is the bookies’ favourite to be the next top-flight manager sacked.
The Dutchman admits that the final decision on his future is “not in my hands”, but is adamant that he sees no reason to worry about his future – pointing to the commitment of his players.
He said: “Of course we have to improve in winning games. I know that. It [the future] is not in my hands but I try to get the best out of the players.
“If there is no commitment and no aggression, then that is maybe a reason to think about my future but I thank the players for their commitment against Burnley.”
Koeman has maintained throughout Everton’s slump that he has the strength of character to improve their results – but admitted that he would be going into the two-week international break on a downbeat note.
“If you win, your life and your day is different,” he said. “Of course, it is not nice if you have two weeks for an international break and get a defeat, but that is life and you have to accept it.
“But don’t accept it, and sit back and wait. We will continue and I will try to do the best for my job. All the other questions are not in my hands.”
But asked if he was the right man for the job, Koeman said: “I don’t answer this type of question. That is not the business at this moment.”
Burnley, who have lost just once all season in the league, moved towards the European places thanks to Jeff Hendrick’s frst-half winner.
Their manager Sean Dyche is convinced that Koeman has the qualities needed to end Everton’s poor run.
Dyche said: “He’s a very good manager, at a very good club with some very good players. We all have tough times – and players have tough times – where you have ups and downs.
“Sometimes you have collective down-times in the team and it is breaking that and it goes away very quickly. In the Premier League, particularly, one game can change perceptions very quickly.”