Koeman pays for Everton's summer shambles

MANCHESTER, England - This was supposed to be the season in which Ronald Koeman guided Everton into the "big six", but after nine games and with the club 18th in the Premier League the Dutchman has been dismissed.

The Toffees fired manager Koeman on Monday after they dropped into the relegation zone following Sunday's humiliating 5-2 home loss to Arsenal.

Koeman took over 16 months ago and spent a significant amount of money overhauling the squad in the summer transfer window, but Everton has won just two out of nine league games in its worst start to a season since 2005-06.