Roberto Martinez
Roberto Martinez, the former Everton manager, recently opened up about his tenure at the club, highlighting his biggest regret and the sense of unfinished business he feels. Martinez, who is currently the head coach of the Portugal national team, shared his reflections during an episode of “Stick to Football.” His time at Everton was marked by a remarkable first season, where he led the team to a fifth-place finish in the 2013/14 Premier League season with a record 72 points.
Roberto Martinez said: “I loved that challenge. In the first season we got the biggest amount of points in the history of the Premier League for Everton, 72 points. That, any other season, would give us Champions League football. I loved the challenge and I think the players loved the challenge. It became a real test of character because you’re talking about centre halves going from 50 passes a game to 110 passes a game. You’re talking about the goalkeeper, to help allow the pressure of the opposition, playing through it.”
Martinez’s approach to modernizing Everton’s playing style was a significant aspect of his tenure. The transition involved increasing the team’s passing game, which he believed was embraced by the players. However, he acknowledged that managing expectations following the successful first season was a challenge. Despite the initial success, Everton’s performance in subsequent seasons saw them finish 11th, falling out of European competitions.
Roberto Martinez said: “What I regret when I look back is I didn’t manage the expectations. Then it became the opposite. Then, all adjusted and then they [Premier League teams] became the power in Europe. You saw Chelsea against Arsenal in the Europa League final, Liverpool against Spurs in the Champions League final.”
Martinez also spoke about the near successes during his time at Everton, including reaching the semi-finals of both the League Cup and the FA Cup. He expressed a sense of unfinished business, feeling that winning silverware could have been the next step for the club.
Roberto Martinez said: “We made two semi-finals, in the League Cup and in the FA Cup. It was those margins. We conceded in the 91st minute against Manchester United. We missed a penalty in the second half and the final was against Crystal Palace and I always felt if we would have won that – I was in a process where we needed silverware to make the next step.”
Reflecting on the reaction of Everton fans, Martinez noted the historical success of the club and the desire among supporters to see the team play well and win. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive style of play, even when facing criticism after defeats.
Roberto Martinez said: “I loved the reaction of the fans because you know the fans want the team to win. And Everton, believe it or not, have got nine league titles. There is a feeling there in the fans that in the olden days they were the best team in Europe and when we were winning and playing well it’s much better than winning when you don’t play well.”
Martinez’s reflections offer insight into the challenges of managing a Premier League club and the delicate balance of maintaining success while managing expectations. His tenure at Everton remains a period of fond memories and what could have been, as he continues his managerial journey with the Portuguese national team.
About The Author
