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Ronald Koeman on Aaron Lennon: Everton manager discusses player’s situation
EVERTON remain in close contact with Aaron Lennon and his family over the player’s stress-related illness.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman says the club will support Aaron Lennon (left)
Lennon was detained under the Mental Health Act after being found by police walking along an A road on Sunday.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman says the former Leeds United and Tottenham winger, 30, will get support from the club.
“The club mentioned that Aaron has a stress related illness,” Koeman said.
We would like to see him back
“It is a private question and what happened is a private situation. We will try to give him all the support.
“That is up to the club, we have a contact with him and his family. It is best that we keep it inside. That’s between the club, his 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.”
Lennon’s situation once again opens the discussion around mental health in football and sport in general.
Former Leeds United manager Kevin Blackwell, who coached Lennon at Elland Road when assistant to Peter Reid, told Express Sport that more can be done to improve education on mental health issues.
Aaron Lennon has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act
Everton boss Ronald Koeman says the pressures of the modern game have increased
Aaron Lennon's best moments during his time at Everton
And Koeman reckons all clubs are vigilant to protect against mental health problems, but accepts the stresses of the game have increased.
“What I saw when I was at Southampton and at Everton is that every Premier League club has people to help,” he said.
“You need to have open communication with players so if there is something they will mention but I think we have the people to support the players if there is any mental problem.
"We try always with every individual player to help him to improve as a football player and if we feel some problems in mental or other issues then we have enough people working in the club to help players with these kind of problems.
“In one side yes the pressures have increased because the whole social media is different than it was 20 years ago and of course that is more pressure; more football, more games, international football - that is really tough for players.”
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