Everton boss Ronald Koeman said the 2-1 defeat by Lyon in the Europa League put his job under increased scrutiny. The Toffees remain bottom of Group E, without a victory in the group stage, and without a win in four games in all competitions.
Ashley Williams looked to have earned Everton a draw moments after sparking a scuffle, but Bertrand Traore flicked in a clever winner for the French side. “The final decision is by the board not myself. If the board thinks I am not the right man they will tell me.” Koeman said of his position.
Nabil Fekir put the visitors ahead at Goodison Park with an early penalty, but there were signs of improvement from an underperforming Everton in a heated clash on Merseyside, with substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson striking the post with a free-kick at 1-1.
Everton have only one point after three of their six group games. They are six points behind leaders Atalanta and four behind second-placed Lyon, with a crucial trip to France to come in November. Asked if his position defeat increased the scrutiny on his position, Koeman said: ‘Of course. If the team is not winning and if the team is not performing when maybe they can, then it’s always the manager.”
Koeman – under pressure following a woeful start to their Premier League campaign – is likely to face greater scrutiny given Everton have now made the worst start to a Europa League group stage by an English club.
“It’s a difficult situation. You get confidence from winning games,” said Koeman, whose side host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday. “The way we fought in the second half is something to keep and to continue. We know for everybody it’s an important game at the weekend.”
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