The report says Koeman replaced Roberto Martínez and made Stekelenburg his first Everton signing. Robles was informed of the manager’s preference early, leaving little room for confusion about the pecking order.
The Spaniard accepted the decision, made his own position clear and continued competing for opportunities. The episode is presented less as a complaint than as an example of Koeman’s management style: blunt, direct and unwilling to leave players guessing.
Robles’ route to regular football had already required patience. The account says he spent his early Everton years competing with Tim Howard, whom he regarded as a club legend, before the hierarchy shifted towards Stekelenburg and then Jordan Pickford.
That cycle captures the unforgiving nature of goalkeeping. A player can remain prepared and respected, yet still lose ground when a manager changes or recruitment reshapes the squad. Robles continued to fight for openings, but Everton reportedly decided they needed another first-choice goalkeeper.
Pickford’s arrival quickly changed the picture. The Sunderland goalkeeper became Everton’s No. 1, while Robles stayed through the period surrounding Koeman’s departure before eventually moving on.
Koeman’s exit did not alter the broader story. Pickford established himself as the long-term solution, while Robles’ recollection offers a glimpse into the competition behind that decision.
The next chapter will come when Everton eventually have to plan for life after Pickford. Robles’ story shows that, in goalkeeping, clear communication can matter almost as much as the save itself.