In the hour following the dismissal of Rafa Benitez, several English media were already citing the name of Roberto Martinez to come to the aid of Everton, which vegetates at the bottom of the Premier League standings.
At first, the name of the Spanish coach, passed by Everton between 2013 and 2016, was only at the bottom of the list. Rooney, Lampard and Espirito Santo had rather the favor of the forecasts. But this Monday morning, two names make the front page of the British media: that of Ronney, always, and that of Roberto Martinez.
The ex-striker, trained at Everton, where he returned during the 2017-2018 season, knows the house very well and is the favorite of several English analysts. Especially since he is doing a good job at Derby, with eight wins and eleven draws in 26 games despite a difficult context (the club received a 21-point penalty at the start of the season).
But according to the Daily Mirror, the “board” of Everton prefers the coach of the Red Devils. “Roberto Martinez is Everton board’s No.1 choice to replace Rafa Benitez” can we read in the English newspaper. “The Belgium coach is still very much appreciated as he left good memories with Goodison. We have learned that contacts have been established with the Belgian federation with the aim of releasing Martinez.”
The Daily Mirror even mentions a severance pay, which would go to the Belgian Federation: 2.4 million euros. “While Martinez has never hidden his desire to return to the Premier League, there is no evidence that he is ready to do so just ten months from the World Cup”, however qualify our colleagues.
To be continued…
