Ronald Koeman may not have envisaged Everton as the next destination on his managerial trajectory.
It is not the high-flying hot seats of Barcelona or even Arsenal for which the Dutch legend was widely touted and appeared destined once his time in charge at Southampton had run its course.
Indeed, many an eyebrow has been raised at his decision to swap the English coast for the shores of the River Mersey; some seeing it as a sideways and even backward step.
Yet one of the game’s most iconic names, now 53, has instead accepted the challenge of reviving Everton’s fortunes as the latest chapter of a burgeoning coaching career.
Three summers ago, Roberto Martinez arrived at Goodison Park with a similar backstory, as a coach on the cusp of joining the pantheon of elite managers.
We all know what happened next.
Things, however, are very different this time around.
Martinez’s appointment never captured Evertonians’ imagination in the same way that Koeman’s impending arrival has stirred royal blue hearts and souls. Doubts exist, as they did with the former Wigan manager, but anticipation and optimism reigns supreme.
Finally, the club of so many footballing ‘firsts’ is again in the rare position of getting their main man rather than settling for second-rate candidates and those of the cheap and cheerful variety, as it was forced to do in recent times.
Be under no illusions – Koeman will not have been seduced purely by Everton’s heritage – something which became the subject of a heated yet futile debate which claimed that Southampton were ‘bigger’ than the club their manager has left for.
Scorned Saints fans would have you believe that he is heading north purely for the money. An understood £6 million per year contract undeniably held some sway, but it is what Everton can offer as an overall project which appears to be the biggest factor.
On and off the pitch, Farhad Moshiri is already showing the colour of his money as the club’s new majority shareholder. The previously inconceivable prospect of a new stadium is back on the agenda while Koeman will be afforded the resources to rebuild and revitalise.
The £100 million transfer war chest is a far cry from the annual fire sales he was forced to oversee at St Mary’s. That figure will be further bolstered by the inevitable departure of Romelu Lukaku, as he seeks Champions League football in pastures new.
Autonomy will not be the name of the game at Goodison, either. Koeman is set to see his task assisted by the inclusion of a Director of Football. A previously beleaguered one-man band will belatedly become a fully-fledged ensemble this summer.
Add to that a manager who marries exciting attacking football with the core principles of a solid defence – the latter appearing lost during Martinez’s final two seasons at the helm – and Everton look set to finally be heading back to where they once belonged.
Aided by Moshiri’s promise to give Everton everything he has and Koeman at the helm, English football’s perennial sleeping giant may finally be about to respond to its alarm clock.
Please note: This is a comment piece and the opinions expressed in this item are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the stance or opinions of the management and owners of Click Liverpool.