COMMENT: Ronald Koeman appeared a man of his word - so Saints fans should feel let down if he quits to join Everton

Back in late April of this year – just over a month ago – Ronald Koeman was asked a simple question by a journalist.

Will he still be manager of Southampton Football Club in 2016/17?

It was a simple question, and the Dutchman gave a simple answer.

"Yes, of course. I have one year of my contract (left),” he replied.

So, simple question and a simple answer.

Yes?

Well, possibly ‘no’ if reports today are to be believed.

Could Ronald Koeman really be on the verge of quitting Saints – less than six weeks after saying ‘yes’ to the question of whether he would still be the club’s manager come early August?

If so, it will be another punch in the ribs to the Saints supporters who have taken Koeman to their hearts.

And if the popular manager does swap St Mary’s for Goodison Park – swapping Saints for a team who finished five places and 16 points behind them in 2015/16 – then no doubt it will be followed by numerous tabloid reports of another summer exodus among the playing staff.

Saints fans have got used to all this, of course.

But no doubt some – perhaps the majority – had allowed themselves to believe this was different, that Ronald Koeman was different.

Mauricio Pochettino never dropped any large hints that he was happy to stay on at Saints after the 2013/14 season had finished.

The Argentinian never told journalists ‘yes’ if asked whether he would still be the club’s boss the following season.

Koeman did, though.

Ever since arriving at St Mary’s in June 2014, he has always been a man of his word.

Mauricio Pochettino

If he said certain players would not be sold in certain transfer windows, those players were not sold.

If he could not make such promises, he did not make wild claims.

When linked with other jobs, he always re-iterated his loyalty to Saints.

Last October, when his name was again linked with the Dutch national team, he said: "I'm manager of Southampton.

“I like to be the manager of Southampton, I like to stay, and I have after this season one year more, (so) there's no way, no possibility (I could leave).”

Back then, perhaps there was “no possibility.”

Today, there most certainly is.

And the St Mary’s fanbase will have every right to feel more than a bit let down.