Everton could sack Roberto Martinez this weekend
A loss to Chelsea on Saturday may mean the end of Roberto Martinez’s time at Everton
Everton are certainly the Premier League’s most disappointing team of the season to date. Roberto Martinez’s men sit at 12th in the Premier League table despite possessing the talent to challenge for the top four. If the Toffees crash out of the FA Cup this weekend it could lead to the sacking of Martinez.
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The Telegraph is reporting that quite a few of Everton’s players are beginning to question their manager’s tactics. Proponents of Martinez point to his swash-buckling offensive style of football as a plus, but it’s led to shoddy defense for the Toffees this season. Their defensive record at Goodison Park is a particular concern given the fact that they’ve conceded a league-high 26 goals at home this season.
In fairness, their defensive record away from their home ground is much better, but that fact won’t be enough to save Martinez if things don’t improve quickly. His one chance to avoid the sack may be a significant run in the FA Cup. Everton is set to host Chelsea in the competition’s quarterfinals this weekend. A loss to Guus Hiddink’s men might force Everton’s ownership to part ways with their manager.
The club feels particular pressure to improve their play given their tenuous hold on several star players. If their results don’t improve before season’s end, the trio of Ross Barkley, Romelu Lukaku and John Stones all may seek greener pastures. Losing world-class talent is something that Everton can ill afford if they want to push on towards European football in the future.
Martinez’s antics off the pitch might have as much to do with his potential demise as the results on the pitch. He’s repeatedly made odd statements to the press this season about his own players. He referred to Gareth Barry as one of the greatest England players of all-time. Barry’s had an excellent career, but even his own mother wouldn’t say that about him.
His handling of Stones has also been curious at best. While publicly articulating his belief that Stones can be a massive international star, he’s not shown a great deal of confidence in him as of late. He’s missed out on some playing time lately which is bound to irk some of Everton’s higher-ups.
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Some fans will call Martinez a fraud if things don’t work out for him at Everton, but that might be a tad unfair. Sometimes a good manager just isn’t the right fit for a good club, and that seems to be the case at Everton.
Roberto Martinez’s curious reign at Everton may end with the sack if his Toffees can’t advance in this weekend’s FA Cup.