There were mixed emotions for Ronald Koeman this morning as he was sacked as Everton manager while simultaneously cementing his “but okay, this is football” catchphrase.

The Dutchman was dismissed after yesterday’s 2-5 defeat to Arsenal left the Toffees languishing in the bottom three of the Premier League.

But on the bright side, his presumed response to the sacking has finally become ensconced in football vernacular – and it has already been formally reserved as the title of any future Koeman biography.

Speaking exclusively to Football Burp, Koeman remained philosophical.

He said: “Nobody really cared about what I was saying when things were going well, but okay, this is football.

“Getting sacked by Everton is a setback to my ambitions of managing Barcelona, but okay, this is football.

“At least now I have a recognised catchphrase to endear me to the wider public, even if it will be inextricably linked with a low point in my career.

“But – all together now! – okay, this is football.”