You’d never have thought it, but football fans are actually a pedantic bunch.
Ronald Koeman found that out this morning when he tried to spread some Christmas joy to his Twitter followers by sharing a photograph of his beautifully decorated Christmas tree.
The Everton manager was likely expecting an outpouring of “Merry Christmas!” in his replies but, instead, he was ridiculed for the distinct lack of blue around his branches.
You probably already know this but blue is not what you would call a traditional Christmas colour. However that fact didn’t stop Toffees supporters coming out in droves to demand that their manager’s tree be draped in their beloved club colours rather than those of Everton’s Merseyside rivals.
Almost #christmastime #busyfootball#period⚽️🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/lppRjY4LfX
— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) December 1, 2016
that tree's a bit red and white 🙈
— Alex Smith (@alexdsmiff) December 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/efccoyney/status/804258893690011648
. @RonaldKoeman Red Christmas Tree! Noooooooo! Ronald, it needs to be BLUE! Happy Christmas.
— Daniel Tatarsky (@DanielTatarsky) December 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/Goodison20/status/804262205587853312
Oh dear. What a faux pas.
Try again.
Without the red.
There's a good chap.
— 🌊 Paul Downes 🇺🇦 (@CallmeDownsie) December 1, 2016
While most responses were tongue-in-cheek, Koeman attempted to win his fans back around by showing off a different Christmas tree in his house, one with much less red but still, no blue.
Better colour? 😂💙 pic.twitter.com/oiIeJry2aB
— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) December 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/_scouse_mouse_/status/804266335970717696
it's missing the blue
— Rob Smith (@Rob99Smith) December 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/harvey_cullen/status/804269074754793472
needs more blue 👍👍
— si vickers (@everton1971) December 1, 2016
It seemed like he just couldn’t win because even away from the colour scheme, Koeman’s choice of baubles didn’t cut the mustard with a ridiculously fussy fanbase.
good job you haven't gone overboard with the decorations!
— Nav (@nav_shiv) December 1, 2016
Is there a tree under there?
— Neil Butler (@justneil) December 1, 2016
No wonder so few Premier League managers indulge in that social media nonsense.
I Think there are more serious problems in the world, than making a big story out of a #ChristmasTree !!! 🙏
— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) December 1, 2016