Everton manager Roberto Martinez given the boot
Published:
Holly Thackeray | May 12, 2016
Everton have sacked boss Roberto Martinez, their coach for three seasons, as the Merseyside club languish 12th in the Premier League table with only one match to go before the end of term.
Club Statement – https://t.co/0LGGIMWqa2
— Everton (@Everton) May 12, 2016
In an official statement, Everton said: “Everton Football Club regrets to announce that Roberto Martinez has left his position as First Team Manager with immediate effect.
“The Chairman and the Board of Directors would like to place on record their thanks for the dedication and commitment Roberto has shown during his three seasons with the club. Roberto has been a great ambassador for the club, conducting himself, at all times, with the utmost integrity and dignity.”
“He secured the club its highest ever Premier League points total, a place in the last 16 of the Europa League and appearances in both domestic cup semi-finals.”
After taking over the baton from David Moyes back in 2013, Martinez led the Toffees to a promising fifth place finish, narrowly missing out on top four, and giving hope the Catalan coach could convert the Merseysiders from a mid-table club to Champions League challengers.
However, this season has seen Everton tumble down the pecking order, while other clubs such as Leicester City and Tottenham have successfully challenged elite clubs on bigger budgets, with a recent investment from new majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri at Goodison thought to be a factor in the shake-up.
Defensive woes undo Martinez
Despite initially wowing crowds with his attacking approach and gung-ho football, subsequent seasons at the helm have seen former Wigan Athletic manager and FA Cup winner Martinez criticised for lack of defensive nous.
A recent 3-0 hammering by relegation-threatened side Sunderland saw the pressure increase, as Everton have kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 games, with only two victories in 12 across all competitions, and looked closer to the drop zone than Champions League slots under the Spaniard’s stewardship, with a win ratio of just 42.7 per cent in his time at the club.
Martinez has also overseen the worst home record since the early days of David Moyes’ reign when the Toffees were battling relegation, and with the fresh influx of Premier League TV cash set to change the game, it looks as though Everton will again be ushering in a new era.
Reports suggest the Toffees could see key players such as England defender John Stones and Belgium frontman Romelu Lukaku poached this summer, with Chelsea and Manchester United said to be circling both, but bringing in a superstar tactician could change perceptions.
Coral’s nifty next coach odds
Coral have a set of cracking specials for customers on this very topic, with an enticing next Everton manager market. Mooted contenders for the coaching post at Goodison include Stoke City’s Mark Hughes (8/1) and Frank De Boer (1/2), with the latter Dutchman most recently linked after leaving Ajax.
Though punters can also take a wager on a Moyes (8/1) return, a triumphant Jose Mourinho (33/1) takeover, or even something a little more outside the box with big names such as Manuel Pellegrini (10/1) and Rafael Benitez (20/1) in the frame alongside former Toffees captain Phil Neville.
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