By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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| Roberto Martinez's three-year tenure at Everton ended on Thursday |
For only the third time in the Premier League era, Everton
have sacked a manager. Roberto Martinez (pictured) joins Mike Walker and Walter Smith as
the unlucky trio of bosses to have been given their marching orders by the hierarchy
at Goodison Park.
Martinez’s three-year reign on Merseyside was brought to an
end on Thursday afternoon after another insipid display at Sunderland in
midweek. The 3-0 defeat was the Toffees’ fourth defeat in their last five away
games and leaves them a distant 12th in the Premier League table
with just one game left to play.
A statement on the club website
on Thursday read: “Everton Football Club regrets to announce that Roberto Martinez has
left his position as First Team Manager with immediate effect. The Chairman and
the Board of Directors would like to place on record their thanks for the
dedication and commitment Roberto has shown during his three seasons with the
Club.”
Former manager Joe Royle and club icon David Unsworth will
take charge of the team for Sunday’s final match of the season at home to
relegated Norwich City, but who will succeed the Spaniard long-term? Here are
some of the prime contenders and my view on how realistic the links are.
Frank de Boer
Early favourite with the bookmakers is Frank de Boer. The
former Dutch international defender stood down from his position as manager of
Ajax earlier in the week. That was after the Amsterdam side were pipped to the
domestic title by PSV Eindhoven on the final day of the season. De Boer would
be a good fit and his Ajax side play attractive football, something the fans
want to see at Goodison Park. His lack of European success though could count
against him in the long run.
CURRENT ODDS: 8/15
with SkyBet
LIKELIHOOD: 9/10
Garry Monk
Out of work since leaving Swansea City at the start of December,
this could be the ideal job for Garry Monk to walk into. Monk did a great job
at the Liberty Stadium, taking the club to a highest points total in the
Premier League last season. His experience of the league is valuable but will
he be the big name the fans want, especially with his close links with Martinez
in the past? Everton could do a lot worse for sure.
CURRENT ODDS: 40/1
with Ladbrokes
LIKELIHOOD: 5/10
Duncan Ferguson
This one is a bit of a left-field choice but the Goodison
faithful would absolutely love this to happen. Duncan Ferguson has been
progressing up the coaching ladder at the club since retiring from playing in
2006. The former forward has worked with the youth team and will give the youngsters
a real chance if he took over. He has now been working with the senior squad
for the past couple of seasons. He would be a rookie if he took the role, so
don’t expect this to happen. However, ‘Big Dunc’ should still remain part of
the backroom team, whoever eventually takes over.
CURRENT ODDS: 40/1
with Paddy Power
LIKELIHOOD: 3/10
David Moyes
They say never go back to where you’ve been, but the David
Moyes link shouldn’t be discounted whatsoever. Even though he didn’t win any
silverware, Moyes did a cracking job during his 11-year stay at the club.
Things didn’t work out at Manchester United or Real Sociedad since but the Scot
didn’t become a bad manager overnight. Not all supporters will be totally happy
to see Moyes back. They did give him a hostile reception when he returned in April
2014 with Manchester United. Don’t rule this one out just yet but his heart
might be set though on the vacancy with Scottish champions Celtic.
CURRENT ODDS: 8/1
with Paddy Power
LIKELIHOOD:
7/10
Mark Hughes
Another name quickly mentioned with the post is Mark Hughes
who had a brief spell in his latter playing days with Everton back in 2000. ‘Sparky’
was also a serious runner for the job in 2013 before it went to Martinez when
he was out of work. Now at Stoke City, the Welshman has done brilliantly for
the last three seasons, making Stoke an attractive place to play your football
and establishing them as a regular top 10 Premier League force. Can he take
them any further though? With competition tough in the top-flight, maybe a new
challenge would excite Hughes and he is another who can’t be ruled out of the
race.
CURRENT ODDS: 5/1
with SkyBet
LIKELIHOOD:
7/10
Brendan Rodgers
As with Moyes, Brendan Rodgers seems to be linked with most vacancies
when they crop up. The Northern Irishman has already indicated he is ready to
come back into management this summer after Liverpool FC ditched him in early
October 2015. Ironically his final game as LFC gaffer was a 1-1 draw in the
Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park. A former Liverpool FC boss though as Everton
manager? Not very likely I think. He wouldn’t be a popular choice. Having
missed out on a return to Swansea in midweek, I’d still expect Rodgers to be in
the PL dugout next season but I think he will end up back at Watford once they
do the inevitable and allow Quique Sanchez Flores to leave next week.
CURRENT ODDS: 66/1
with Paddy Power
LIKELIHOOD: 2/10
Manuel Pellegrini
Manuel Pellegrini’s final game in charge of Manchester City
will come this weekend when the Citizens travel to Swansea City, looking to
wrap up a finish in the top four of the Premier League. After that, Pellegrini
will be available for any job should he want it. Three trophies in three years
proves he can win silverware and get clubs into the top four, as he did with
Villarreal and Real Madrid in Spain. A charming and loyal man, he would be a
wonderful appointment if the board could get him. I’d make him a surprise
second favourite for the job. It would just depend if Pellegrini would want to
stay in England.
CURRENT ODDS: 8/1
with SkyBet
LIKELIHOOD:
8/10
The rest
Ronald Koeman’s name
has been linked on Thursday, but it would be a strange move for him to leave
his good work at Southampton behind for a club that is in a weaker position
than what he has at the moment. The job won’t go to another former Liverpool FC
manager in Rafa
Benitez, who once called Everton ‘a small club.’ Nigel Pearson could be in the frame, but his abrasive character
makes him a rank outsider. Same goes for Jorge Sampaoli, whilst Martin O’Neill might relish a return to club management but seems
perfectly happy in his role as Republic of Ireland manager.
De Boer looks the overwhelming favourite at the moment, but
Pellegrini, Hughes and Moyes are other very strong contenders. Whoever gets the
job will be taking over a squad that does have potential to deliver and with
new investment coming in, could take Everton to the next level.
As for Roberto Martinez, he will be back at some point. He
is a nice guy but made some strange tactical decisions and doesn’t seem to
fully know how to close out football matches. Pretty football is great, but it
must deliver results on a regular basis. He couldn’t do that at Everton and has
paid the price. The next appointment for owner Bill Kenwright is crucial and it
has to be done in good time.
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