Five games.
That’s all Ronald Koeman has left to save his job.
Much was expected of Everton this season after they splurged over £100million on new signings in the summer.
But the Dutch gaffer has struggled to implement an effective system or get the best out of his new arrivals.
The Toffees currently reside in 16th place with just seven points from seven league games — though admittedly they have already played Spurs, Chelsea and both Manchester clubs.
The Mirror are reporting that Koeman has until the end of October to improve his side’s fortunes or he will be sacked.
One peek at the fixtures list will have the 54-year-old manager worried.
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Everton travel to Brighton on 15th but after that their remaining October fixtures will be extremely tough.
They host Lyon in the Europa League — the Ligue 1 side made it to the semi-finals of the competition last season.
Then Everton welcome Arsenal to Goodison Park three days later.
The Gunners showed signs of dramatic improvement before the international break, drawing level with Chelsea on 13 points.
Speaking of which, three days after the Arsenal game, Everton travel to Stamford Bridge in the EFL Cup fourth round.
Koeman’s final game of his judgement period comes away to Leicester on Sunday 29th.
On current form you’d have to say that Lyon, Arsenal and Chelsea will all fancy wins against a vulnerable Toffees side which may condemn Koeman to the unemployment line.
Oumar Niasse’s efforts have masked the severity of the club’s problems.
Romelu Lukaku has left a huge hole up front and the trio of Wayne Rooney, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Davy Klaassen are all fighting to play in the No10 role while proving ineffective elsewhere in the formation.
Drastic times call for drastic measures… Koeman wouldn’t dare call upon outcast Ross Barkley, would he?
