Foreign footballA prestige battle for the national coach has now really started. Everton want to bring Roberto Martínez back to England. The Royal Belgian FA would rather not see him leave ten months before the World Cup. Do the pennies speak or the sentiment?
It’s Everton serious. His management, it sounded Sunday evening, is waiting for a signal from the Belgian football association. The midfielder in the Premier League sacked his coach Rafa Benítez on Sunday, after disappointing results. One of the top candidates to succeed the Spaniard is an old acquaintance: Roberto Martínez. The first lines have already been cast. Everton quickly wants certainty whether Martínez can / will come.
They prefer to put on the brakes at the union. Officially, the Royal Belgian FA has not commented on the matter, but it is said in the corridors that the association does not suddenly want to look for a new head coach and technical director less than a year before the world championship in Qatar.
They will have to convince Martínez to stay. After all, his expiring contract offers no watertight guarantees. For a club with a budget of 200 million euros, it is easy to buy off those remaining months. Soon the money or the sentiment of a Last Dance with the Golden Generation?
In recent years, several English and Spanish clubs have polled the national coach. Arsenal and Tottenham held exploratory talks. Newcastle, Norwich and Aston Villa made inquiries. His name was sometimes discussed internally at Barcelona and Real Madrid. It never came to concrete talks with the union about an effective departure. Martínez continued the project Belgium Fidelity. Also because candidates had bet on several horses.
Martínez has a great style and radiates confidence, positivism and class. He is an Everton man
At Everton it is different. There is also an emotional bond, which even his resignation in 2016 did not cut. Diehard fans taunted him in a disappointing third season at Goodison Park, but within the board he has retained his supporters. Not least Bill Kenwright, the club’s honorary president. Kenwright at the time: “He behaves the same way on and off the field. With great style, confidence, positivism and class. He’s an Everton man.” A disappointing second and third year reportedly changed little that opinion.
At the time, Martínez’s resignation was Farhad Moshiri’s first policy act as new boss. The British-Iranian owner would have no objections to a return of Martínez six years after the date. His deposition then was a costly affair. Everton tried to negotiate down the severance package, but Martínez’ lawyer Chris Farnell waved a clause. The club had to pay out in full its three-year contract — about 14 million euros.
In the end, both sides reached a compromise during an independent hearing committee in London. He was paid a golden handshake worth almost 12 million euros. Martínez agreed to a small encore if the amount was deposited in one go and he could immediately start working for Belgium, without claim for compensation. So he didn’t have to do it with the Devils for the money. Everton gave him a hefty bonus — more than he’s gotten in the past five years with the union.
Build new stadium
Everton fans are divided over Martínez’s return. Since his departure, the club has been yearning for stability. Moshiri fired Ronald Koeman, Sam Allardyce, Marco Silva and Benitez. Carlo Ancelotti resigned himself. The Toffees are very dependent on the money of their fickle owner, but hope to become a bigger player again with the construction of a new stadium.
Does Martínez feel like throwing himself into a toxic new construction project?
On to the federation and Martínez. At the moment there are few indications of a departure.
“Get Mart”: Martínez’s name appears in the English press more than once
Also see: Internship in Qatar with less experienced Red Devils may not take place
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss a thing from the stars.
