​Everton manager Ronald Koeman has distanced himself from a statement made by his former agent, linking him with a move to La Liga champions Barcelona.





Guido Albers - the Dutchman's ex-representative, who now manages former Inter Milan boss Frank de Boer - spoke to the Italian press earlier this week, claiming that his present client is not in the running for the Barca job.

TRANSFER CENTRE: Ronald Koeman being lined up as next Barcelona boss? More here: https://t.co/jujuWeeWhT pic.twitter.com/UZ26uwIKeb — Sky Football ⚽️ (@SkyFootball) February 9, 2017

He did, however, declare that Koeman was on the shortlist of managers who could take over from Luis Enrique in the summer, with the Spaniard's contract set to expire at the end of the season.





The Toffees boss, however, has brushed the notion aside, further going on to explain that he will always be linked with Barcelona due to former ties with the club. Koeman represented La Blaugrana both as a player and assistant manager in the past, and he claims that it's the reason he will always be tipped to move there as a head coach.





"He is not my manager anymore," Koeman said definitively of Albers, via Spanish outlet ​AS.

"[There is] nothing, nothing, nothing. I will always be related to Barcelona - it happened in the past and it will happen in the future."





Everton, who play away to Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, have picked up 17 points from their last available 21. They sit in seventh place on the Premier League table, and are now favourites to finish in the top four.





Koeman, though, isn't getting ahead of himself.





"Everything is possible but everyone knows the Premier League is so tough," he said.

Boro could spring shock result vs. rampant Everton with Ramirez return https://t.co/3ym5VMwzOA pic.twitter.com/zizH2biCLQ — Ultimate Sports (@ultimateSport01) February 9, 2017

"It is not about the opponent you play – look at Hull getting four points from Manchester United away and Liverpool at home.





"Maybe our game this Saturday will be more difficult than Tottenham away. It is all about yourself. The best way to be successful is to look at the next game."

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