Ronald Koeman has said Everton will give Aaron Lennon all the time he needs to recover from a stress-related illness and insisted Premier League clubs do provide support for players with mental health problems.
The Everton winger is receiving treatment having been detained under the Mental Health Act on Sunday by police who were concerned for the 30‑year‑old’s welfare. Koeman admitted he has not encountered a situation like Lennon’s during his managerial career but believes the players of today are under greater pressure due to social media and the profile of the sport. The manager assured Lennon that Everton’s only concern is that he makes a full recovery, however long that takes.
“If it is a long-term problem he will have our long-term support,” said Koeman, who has not spoken to Lennon while he is receiving care. “Aaron still has one or two years more of contract [it is one year] and we will support him and help him to come back. If it takes time, it takes time, but we will do it. We won’t drop the support to him. Of course, 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.”
Koeman refused to go into detail on Lennon’s condition or recovery, insisting: “It is a private matter and it is best we keep it inside between the club, the player and his family.”
But, despite claims by the Professional Football Association that more should be done to help players with mental health problems, the Everton manager believes assistance is available throughout the Premier League. “What I saw at Southampton and at Everton is every Premier League club has people to help. You need to have open communication with players so if there is something they will mention it, but I think we have the people to support the players if there is any mental problem.
“On one side there is more pressure now because social media is different than it was 20 years ago and, of course, that is more pressure. There is more football, more games, international football as well: that is really tough for players.”