Back in July 2014 when Ronald Koeman was introduced as Southampton manager, he was in the middle of a mass exodus of players. Some of the Saintsa best players had already left, some were on their way. The Dutchman was faced with the unenviable task of a buildinga a team from start a a team that had been ripped apart to its bare bones by the proverbial vultures of the Premier League.
A distinguished 17-year playing career with a host of big European clubs including Barcelona and Ajax, metamorphosed into an assistant coach role under Guus Hiddink at Netherlands. After the a 98 world cup, an assistant role at Barcelona was followed by a first-team coaching stints at Vitesse, Benfica, PSV Eindhoven among others. Most recently the manager of Feyenoord, his move to Southampton was odds-on after he announced his ambition to leave the Dutch side at the end of the 2013-14 season and Mauricio Pochettino confirmed his departure for White Hart Lane.
At best considered relegation candidates, they would have given half their team (which they ultimately did) to finish where they are currently. They still have the best defensive record in the league led by the astute Jose Fonte, one of the best young attacks and definitely have been THE surprise package of this season. All this from having hit nadir at the start of the season, is a remarkable achievement by Koeman and his backroom staff. An achievement good enough, we believe, to consider him for manager of the year.
If this were any other league, Koeman would hardly even be in consideration. However, since the Premier League has quite a tradition of awarding managers based on their performances throughout the season rather than where they eventually end up, Koeman still has hope. His predecessor, if he wins, would be Tony Pulis whose Crystal Palace side not only avoided relegation, but also took Chelsea and Liverpool as their scalps on the way to a 11th placed finish backed by a vociferous home support. Even Alan Pardew, who was the recipient in 2012 was awarded for his Newcastle side having a surprisingly consistent season.
A reward, many believe, would do justice to a fantastic season for the Saints. A season which started with the departure of star names such as Ricky Lambert, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Luke Shaw among others to greener (and colder) pastures of the north-west of England. However, in what could only turn out to be a masterstroke, the relatively unknown signings of Sadio Mane, Dusan Tadic and the likes have made an impact every time they have touched the ball this season.
The new and the what-was-left of the old team have managed to create a wonderful amalgamation of players. Nathaniel Clyne, James Ward-Prowse were some of the players who chose to stay and have been rewarded with a fantastic year so far. There were even times when the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United a clubs for which most players left Southampton a were languishing below the Saints in the Premier League table.
Koemana s predecessor Mauricio Pochettino had a lasting influence on the team. The Argentine coach who is known for his intense training sessions, an emphasis on possession play and high-pressing is quite different from the relatively laidback attitude of the Dutchman. Although there hasna t been much of a change of tactics as such, the change from a rigid style of play to a more flexible one under Koeman has had a visible effect on the team.
To say, however, that this success is entirely due to Ronald Koeman would be unfair to his backroom staff, his players and in some ways, his predecessors. The team that the Dutchman has playing now is mostly inherited. Even the aforementioned Clyne, Ward-Prowse and Fonte who are such a core part of the team now, have been handed down to Koeman. The emergence of homegrown talents has always been Southamptona s strong suit. Matt Targett and Harrison Reed have also been successfully integrated into the team under the Dutchman. It was almost like a template had been laid out for the Dutchman, all he had to do was fill in the colours. Credit where it due though, the four players who formed the spine of Pochettinoa s team ultimately left and Koeman had it up to him to mould a new team.
That is only to say that if Koeman is given a free hand this summer with the transfers, it will be interesting to see how he changes the team, if there are any. He will have his task cut out though, the price he will have to pay for the fantastic season is to see some of his star players departing in the summer, again. Whether the players this time around will be tempted to stay and be a part of the Ronald Koeman Project is something only time will tell.
Wherever Southampton end up come May, it will be considered an overachievement. And with it, will be renewed expectations for the next season and an even more eagle-eyed scrutiny of the Dutchmana s performance. Given his pedigree and experience, he will know what will be expected of him and the knowledge to handle it. All said and done, whether or not he gets the actual a manager of the yeara trophy is going to be a waiting game but his achievements definitely point due north for the team from the south coast of England.