Leighton Baines welcomes new Everton boss Ronald Koeman to Goodison Park after daring move

EVERTON ace Leighton Baines has labelled new boss Ronald Koeman ‘Mr Incredible’.

The Dutchman has been called far worse by the Southampton fans he walked out on to take over at Goodison Park this week.

Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc even called the former Holland star a hypocrite after Koeman criticised modern players for lacking loyalty before ditching Southampton.

But left-back Baines has come racing to his defence and poured on the praise for how the Saint-turned-sinner manged at St Mary’s when so many star men were sold from underneath him.

Baines said: “It’s what we’ve all been waiting for and anticipating.

“It’s been really well received and it’s the appointment everyone was hoping for.

“It’s an interesting summer for this football club and the appointment of a new manager means everyone can start to look forward to what’s to come.

“His reputation speaks for itself. As a player he was obviously top-drawer and he’s on that path now as a manager as well.

“He did a fantastic job – in what was a difficult job – at Southampton with the players they lost.

“He did incredible there and that’s why I think our chairman and Mr Moshiri were so focused on making him the man.”

Tottenham are Everton’s first Premier League game back after a summer spent trying to forget their dismal campaign under axed Roberto Martinez.

The Toffees won just five league games at home all season and Martinez came unstuck after three underwhelming years.

Baines added: “We’ve got an exciting opener at home against Spurs which will be a great test for us and something we will look forward to.

“We want to get off to a good start and those first few weeks will be really important in trying to do that.

“Then you naturally look for different games – the derbies. But the way the league is now, they are all tough games. It proved that last season in particular.

“Every game is a big game and we are looking forward to getting started.”