Frank de Boer: Ronald Koeman deserves Barcelona job

Frank de Boer has talked up Ronald Koeman's candidacy for his "dream" Barcelona job as the uncertainty over Luis Enrique's future at the helm continues.

Koeman, a great of the Blaugrana during his playing and early coaching days, has found form in his first season in charge of Everton, and has long been linked with a return to Camp Nou in a managerial capacity.

And the Dutchman has a significant backer should Barcelona explore the option of installing him to the hot seat, with De Boer, a compatriot and ex-member of the playing staff in Catalonia when Koeman was assisting Louis van Gaal, saying he'd be an ideal fit.

"Normally I think he is (at clubs) for the long term but maybe in his contract if he gets a call from Barcelona then he can go because that is always his dream," De Boer told ESPN FC.

Like many who spend time in the Barcelona system, the club's running remains a benchmark for the rest of their career. Koeman has clearly kept the outfit where he won a European Cup and four La Liga titles in high regard, even identifying Barcelona as an ideal home for Everton's star striker Romelu Lukaku in November.

Although De Boer can envision a return to the Mediterranean coast for his old coach despite insisting Enrique isn't under pressure, he hopes Koeman completes the job on Merseyside.

"I think he also mentioned it a lot of times that when Barcelona come calling it would be fantastic. He would deserve it because he is doing well and he also did well with Southampton," ex-Ajax and Inter Milan boss De Boer continued.

"But hopefully for Everton he doesn't get a call and he will stick there for a couple of years like he did at Southampton."

The Toffees are on a run of eight league matches without defeat, and are seven points adrift of sixth-placed Manchester United ahead of a visit from bottom-placed Sunderland on Feb. 22.

"There is still a gap between them and sixth place but hopefully they can fight back to come maybe third, fourth or fifth because Liverpool are not doing that well right now. Hopefully they can catch them up, " De Boer added.

"He has brought structure. He is a very good trainer, technical-wise too. He had a little bit of difficulty in the beginning but now they have their confidence back and they have a really good team."