• Koeman says there is ‘no chance’ he will break contract that runs to 2019 • Everton manager says Aaron Lennon will get club’s full support

Ronald Koeman has declared there is “no chance” of him leaving Everton before his contract expires in 2019 despite reiterating that he dreams of coaching Barcelona.

The Everton manager has again been linked with a return to the Nou Camp, where he enjoyed great success as a player between 1989 and 1995, following an interview he gave to the Catalan newspaper Sport. In the interview Koeman claimed he had “two dreams to fulfil”: becoming coach of Holland, having been assistant to Guus Hiddink at the 1998 World Cup, and managing Barcelona. He also insisted, however, that he “owes” Everton and aims to lead the club to Champions League qualification next season.

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Koeman insists he spoke to a Catalonian newspaper not because of the impending managerial vacancy at Barcelona but due to the upcoming 25th anniversary of the club’s first European Cup success, which his goal against Sampdoria at Wembley delivered.

Speaking at Everton’s Finch Farm training ground on Thursday, he said: “I have mentioned several times that it is a human ambition – for players and for managers – but that does not change my position or contract with Everton. I’m really happy with Everton and looking forward to next season and I will be part of the project. The interview was coming out because it is 25 years since we won the European Cup at Wembley. There is no chance I will leave Everton before the end of my contract.

“When I got the offer from Everton it was not about this season. Already in this season we showed that we are close to the top six but not close enough. It is a real compliment to the players what we achieved this season. For next season we like to do more. We need to learn from this season. I hope we will play in Europe [throughout] next season. It makes it more tough but we want to develop the team.”

Koeman refused to go into detail on Aaron Lennon’s condition, with the Everton winger receiving treatment for a stress-related illness, but insisted the pressure on players had increased for various reasons since his playing days.

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“As you know the club mentioned that Aaron had a stress-related illness and it is a private situation,” the Everton manager said. “We try to give him all the support to help him come back as soon as possible. We have contact with him and his family and I think it is best we keep it inside between club, the player and his family. We would like to see him back but what is important now is for him to be like he was. Life, health, is more important than football.”

Asked whether there was added pressure on today’s players, he responded: “On one side yes because the whole social media is different than it was 20 years ago and of course that is more pressure. There is also more football, more games, international football – that is really tough for players.”

The Everton manager confirmed that Arouna Koné would not be offered a contract extension when his deal expires at the end of this season.