The Premier League Game of Thrones

Roberto Martinez – Everton 

Jul 31, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Everton head coach Roberto Martinez leaves the field after the first half against Juventus at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Projected Finish: 10th

How’d he do?

Everton are due to have one of their worst finishes in the Premier League in the past ten years. Martinez was unable to duplicate his sterling form with Everton last season that saw the club finish fifth. The obligations of a deep run in the Europa League combined with a bad spate of injuries to key players made for an uneven season. He seems to have recovered from briefly flirting with relegation territory, but the Everton faithful are unlikely to be satisfied with this season’s efforts on the whole. His struggles this season parallel similar difficulties he had with balancing defense and attack at prior club Wigan.

Season Highlight: This Sunday’s masterful win over Manchester United will likely be at the top of a short list for many Everton fans.

Season Lowlight: After taking a 2-1 lead in the first leg of the Europa League knockout round tie against Dynamo Kyiv, the 5-2 capitulation in the second leg must have been particularly painful.

Future?

Probably In. Martinez’s reputation and a strong finish to the season should ensure he keeps his job over the summer. It helps that the pool of managers qualified to take the reigns at Everton is relatively thin. He’ll be no doubt expected to find a solution to his defensive woes ahead of next season.