Everton legend Kevin Ratcliffe says they need a fresh injection of passion.

While Ratcliffe, now 56, accepts Koeman is ­expected to ­deliver, the ­former Wales captain who presided over two league title wins, an FA Cup and ­European Cup Winners' Cup victories at Goodison, ­believes the current boss should be given more time to turn things around.

He told the Mirror: “If ­Everton had dumped ­Kendall then the club's history would probably have been ­rewritten – and not for the better.

“At the moment, Everton don't look a better side than last season – and we've spent £140m.

“Are some of the new players like Davy Klaassen or Gylfi Sigurdsson better than Gareth Barry for ­instance? Are they ­better than James McCarthy? Probably not on what we have seen so far.

“They were big fish at their old clubs, who weren't expected to be beat the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United. But at Everton you are ­expected to compete and win against these teams. It is a different type of ­pressure and you are taken out of your comfort zone.

“So far it looks like they can't handle it."