Everton Ace Urges Ronald Koeman to Stick With Toffees as Rumours Continue to Link Him With Barca Job

Ashley Williams has revealed his hope to see Ronald Koeman stay at Everton as speculation mounts about Barcelona's managerial position.

Koeman is one of a handful of names linked with the post at the Camp Nou following Luis Enrique's announcement that he will step down from the role at the end of the season.

Koeman signed a three-year contract to become Everton's new boss last summer after predecessor Roberto Martinez was sacked last May, and has already stated his intent to see through his project at Goodison Park.

That has done little to appease the media, however, who claim that the 53-year-old is on the shortlist to take over from Enrique - a move that Williams hopes will not materialise.

He told BBC Sport: "For me personally and the lads, we obviously hope he stays. He's started building a team here and we're all confident the future looks good for Everton.

"But he might have his own ambitions. I can't speak for what he wants from his managerial career but from our point of view, definitely we enjoy working with him."

Koeman's association with Barcelona goes back to his playing days, with the Netherlands legend winning four La Liga titles and the European Cup during his spell with the Catalan giants.

Ronald Koeman's golden hair inspires Barcelona brewery to launch new beer https://t.co/IENhtDIYAT pic.twitter.com/GXLm5hH7ki

The ex-Southampton gaffer revealed earlier in his managerial career that he harboured ambitions of one day becoming La Blaugrana's boss, but has stated in recent seasons that he does not see himself moving back to Catalunya in the immediate future.

Enrique revealed that he will step away from the role of Barca's manager after three years at the helm, and stated that he needed to rest after the stress of managing one of the biggest clubs in the world took its toll on him.

The 46-year-old - himself a former Barcelona star - will aim to secure another Spanish top flight title and Copa del Rey success before he calls time on his career in charge of Barcelona, but a Champions League trophy looks likely to elude him with Barcelona 4-0 down in their last-16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain.

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