By support

11th Jul, 2016 | 8:03am

Koeman: This is my Everton masterplan to add steel to the failing backline

By Dominic Toner

Newly-appointed Everton manager Ronald Koeman believes they have added one of the best goalkeeper coaches in the business in Patrick Lodewijks.

Koeman has been quick to bring in some familiar faces with him on Merseyside, after he joined the club this summer.

He told Everton TV: “The most important thing is really that he brings a lot of qualities in the goalkeeper coaching to the goalkeepers.

“It’s a very important position in the team. We try always to get the best out of everybody and that is one of the reason I am very proud that Patrick is joining us at Everton.”

The pair previously worked together for three years at Feyenoord and even shared a dressing room together as players at PSV Eindhoven.

Lodewijks will be working with current goalkeepers Joel Robles and Maarteen Stekelenburg, with the latter joining the club this summer and linking back up with Koeman.

Stekelenburg has followed his manager from Southampton and has also worked under him at Fulham and Monaco.

Spanish goalkeeper Robles joined Everton back in 2013 and became a crucial figure last season, after Tim Howard suffered an injury.

He made 24 appearances last season which is more than his previous two years at the club and is set to battle it out with his new Dutch team-mate Stekelenburg for the number one jersey.

Last season Everton shipped 55 goals in the league, as replacement Robles appeared shaky at times in goal.

The Dutchman is keen to improve the squad that he inherited from Spaniard Roberto Martinez and push for European qualification in the upcoming season.

In other Everton news, they have hijacked Aston Villa’s move for a 24-goal striker.