Everton call time on Martinez

, 12 May, 418comments  |  Jump to most recent
Confirmed
Updated Roberto Martinez's time as manager is up with the club now confirming his departure with immediate effect after almost three years in charge at Goodison Park.

The club made the announcement official this afternoon with a statement on Twitter and evertonfc.com after information from ToffeeWeb sources last night suggesting his time was up in the wake of another shocking performance that saw them go down 3-0 at Sunderland, was confirmed by the media.

Chairman Bill Kenwright and the Board of Directors expressed their thanks to Martinez for his "dedication and commitment" and for conducting himself "with the utmost integrity and dignity."

The decision comes at the end of a second-successive season in which the Toffees will finish in the bottom half of the Premier League. The defeat at the Stadium of Light was the latest chapter in an alarming run of results stretching back to early March in which the Toffees have won just twice in 12 matches in all competitions

Humiliation at Anfield in the Merseyside derby and failure in a second cup semi-final this season are believed to have made up the mind of new major shareholder Farhad Moshiri that Martinez's time was up. While there have been rumours that the board was split on whether or not to give the Catalan more time, privately there was a desire to allow him to see out the season and make the announcement regarding his future in the coming weeks.

A dreadful showing at Leicester City last weekend, coupled with a growing clamour from supporters for his removal may, however, have already forced the club to head off planned protests at the final home game of the season on Sunday by announcing his departure today.

Martinez joined the Toffees in June 2013 on the heels of an FA Cup triumph with Wigan Athletic but also the Latics' relegation from top flight. He guided Everton to a fifth-place finish and best points tally since the formation of the Premier League in 1992 and was awarded an extension to his contract as a result.

The Catalan has struggled since to match the achievements of his first season at Goodison Park, however, with the club struggling through consecutive seasons of under-performance that ended in disappointing mid-table finishes. Martinez became the first Everton manager to oversee exits from the domestic cups at the first hurdle in 2014-15 but fared better in the Europa League until his side was dumped out by Dynamo Kiev in the Round of 16 in March last year.

He steered the Blues to the last four of both the Carling Cup and FA Cup this season, eventually losing to the two Manchester clubs respectively, but registered another unwanted record with Everton's worst home league record in the club's history when adjusted to three points for a win.

Speculation now shifts to whom the club might target to replace Martinez, with a slew of names from Frank de Boer, Manuel Pellegrini and Ronald de Boer to far less inspiring names like Martin O'Neill and Mark Hughes having been bandied about in recent weeks.

De Boer, whose agent suggested only a few days ago that he would love to manage a club like Everton, has just parted company with Ajax after failing to land his fifth Dutch title, while there have been tabloid claims that Pellegrini would be interested in a job that would keep him in the Premier League and in the northwest of England.

 

Reader Comments (418)

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Alex Bennett
1 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:30:07
Please let this be true!
Winston Williamson
2 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:30:11
SSN reporting he's been sacked
Jamie Crowley
3 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:30:58
This has to happen today. Time to end the circus.

De Boer please for me.

Liam Reilly
4 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:31:21
We don't need a circus on Sunday, so best to let him go now.

Hopefully there was some performance related clauses in the contract so it doesn't cost 3 years.

Joe Clitherow
5 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:31:22
He's gone according to SSN!!!
Iain Jones
6 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:31:37
Gone, thank god!!!!
James Watts
7 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:31:50
About time!! I had real fears he would last until at least next season. Thankfully the players probably thought the same and downed tools.

Adios Roberto. Finally.

Eugene Ruane
8 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:31:51
GONE!
Matthew Williams
9 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:31:58
Oh happy day!!!.
Kenshite next please!!!!.
Bob Skelton
10 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:32:26
Phenomenal
Jamie Crowley
11 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:33:21
A new era begins.
Anto Byrne
12 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:33:23
Compensation. How much will he have to pay back to the club?
Alan Bodell
13 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:33:25
Great news, I hope the whole 1st. team back room go too and that includes Duncan too.
Sandra Williams
14 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:33:34
GONE......and forgotten!! Finally!!!!
Gerry Quinn
15 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:35:19
Not convinced about SSN rumours - I will wait to see him lift the "I've been officially sacked" scarf over his head.
Tommy Coleman
16 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:36:23
That's that.

De Boer in.

COYBS.

Michael Polley
17 Posted 12/05/2016 at 13:57:15
Thank fuck he has gone. I feel the weight of depression and doom being lifted off my shoulders.De Boer looks favourite now
Oscar Huglin
18 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:04:17
Finally over.
Gordon Crawford
19 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:05:29
I never thought I would say this. But go get Maureen.
So glad he is gone though. Great day. 😄
Andrew Presly
20 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:05:48
Kept on at least a month too long.

Bigger problems at the club remain, namely Kenwright and Elstone.

Tony J Williams
21 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:05:51
They had to really, they couldn't let him face us on Sunday...it would have been phenomenally toxic!
Paul Ellam
22 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:06:21
Martinez gone.
DeBoer left Ajax.
Please for once let 2+2=4
Terence Beresford
23 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:06:23
Thank god!!!!!
Kristian Boyce
24 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:06:45
Andrew #20 Kept on a year too long
Soren Moyer
25 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:06:47
What a manager!!
David Milner
26 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:07:13
Good that's it. I am going to have a terrible hangover in the morning.

Lets see what Unsworth can do for Sunday.

Paul Webb
27 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:07:16
Just seen on Sky his win percentage since November 14 is 29%, phenomenal. Just glad I don't have to listen any more post-match garbage from this clown.
Les Mallinson
28 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:07:19
Just emptying my pockets of lots of tennis balls and putting the cuskions back on the chairs. Ha ha
Dean Peamum
29 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:07:32
That's the first half of the double in, just need BK to stand down now.
Miles Jordan
30 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:08:02
Can't we give him Niasse as compensation?
Steve Brown
31 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:08:03
Can use that white hankie to blow my nose now.
Andrew Presly
32 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:08:25
I did say "at least" one month, Kristian!

First man to mention the name "David Moyes" loses a testicle.

Mike Hughes
33 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:08:32
What a relief that he's gone.
He was a complete drag on and off the pitch

I have no sympathy at all for someone rich through incompetence.
Now we can move onwards and upwards.
Come on you Mighty Blues.
6-0 win at the weekend.

(Les#28 - nice one! Same here with the cushions.)

Bob Cumiskey
34 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:08:52
Thanks, I can now sleep easier.

Let's hope his successor is somebody with a proven track record; a real winner.

COYBB!!

Patrick Carty
35 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:09:18
Everton fans can start to get excited again. I hope we go all out to get Koeman.

I will try not be bitter with Martinez because it was the board's fault as much for letting it get this far.
I wish Martinez well for the future.

Andrew Hepburn
36 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:09:22
Good Luck Martinez and all the best in your future

I think not having a plan B and not being able to successfully tweak his chosen style of play has cost him.

Frank De Boer please?

Kevin O'Regan
37 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:09:36
@ Sandra (14)- Forgive and remember, not forgive and forget - otherwise you don't learn. Thank the Lord. A phenomenal moment we're in.
Steve Brown
38 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:09:56
2 +2 = Jose or Diego, please????????
Ray Griffin
39 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:10:12
Looks like it's De Boer then, all being synced nicely - no humiliation on Sunday for RM & new manager in next week
Dave Williams
40 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:10:23
It is never nice to see someone lose their job and he was a sorry sight over the last few games - looked a broken man.

However his settlement should provide some comfort and ultimately no-one is bigger than our great club and with our new financial backing and crop of youngsters coming through we must leave no stone unturned in returning us to the pinnacle of English football.

Roberto was polite, courteous and charming and never brought shame to our club and I wish him all the very best for the future with thanks for trying.

Nil satis nisi optimum - and Roberto wasn't so we must move on without him.

A good decision!

Mike T Jones
41 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:10:25
Andrew Presley. You were the first
Frank Wade
42 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:10:45
Paul, i'd be hoping 2+2 =4 this time.

Gordon, Please, Please, not another arrogant manager like Mourinho. Lost all after his handling of Eva Cameiro incident.

Kevin Jones
43 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:11:43
Well that's you then Andrew, two bricks should do the job, just watch your thumbs Ouch
Soren Moyer
44 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:11:46
So it's fat Rafa then!!!
Anthony Dwyer
45 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:11:51
Zzzzzzzz our club are so slow to react its painful.

Lets hope we sign someone up soon, im really warming to the De Boer idea, he's known for good football and he's proven he's a league winner.

Onwards and upwards.

Winston Williamson
46 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:13:02
What's incredible is the complete lack of statement from the club!!
Len Hawkins
47 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:13:40
It's like having a Lance Boiled or is it a boil lanced, anyway the pain is going away.
Gerry Quinn
48 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:14:17
Shouldn't we wait until this is announced officially?

Why do I remain so concerned about the continuous silence from EFC?

Colin Glassar
49 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:14:32
BK and Elstone, your taxi is waiting outside.
Nick Page
50 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:14:51
No to De Boer - too similar (possession shite)

Yes to Mourinho - that would put us on the fxcking map with a statement of intent

Ron Sear
51 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:14:53
Now let's see how the team plays on Sunday. Time for the roaring to begin.
Jay Wood
52 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:15:25
What a dog's dinner the club's guardians have made of this.

Whilst this is being reported by all the major UK media, still nothing official from the club itself.

What great timing! The day they want to max out publicity on next season's kit launch ... the day for the club's annual awards dinner ...

Way to go, Blues!

If confirmed as true, that at least avoids the embarassment of a hostile reception for RM at tonight's awards and on Sunday against Norwich.

No need to do a rush job on selecting his replacement. Just full due dilligence and professional, searching interviews at which prospects need to convince the club as to their methods, planning and ambitions.

Eugene Ruane
53 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:15:29
It's a massive relief, but make no mistake, if we are ever to be able to have the chance to make any real progress, it's a case of one down two to go.

Link

Steve Brown
54 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:15:48
Yeah great to see the comms strategy working seemlessly. Complete amateurs
Darren Dennett
55 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:15:56
Just got up off nights and seen the news. Absolutely delighted. Cereal all over the ceiling. The most jumping up and down I've done all season.
Steve Brown
56 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:16:33
Mr Moshiri runs things and he means business.
John Louis Jones
58 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:17:13
I am just so happy.

Exciting Summer at Everton, need to replace 12 players at least.

Ian McPherson
59 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:17:16
High 5's all round! Might even buy the new jersey to celebrate.
James Marshall
60 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:18:26
Yes! I just saw it on the BBC site, and punched the air like I haven't done all season!

Time for a celebratory pie, and a cup of tea!

Gordon Crawford
61 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:18:28
I know he is arrogant Frank. I don't like him either and I never wanted him as manager. But he would turn heads and make us that force again. He would also have pulling power to bring in the best players.
Peter Carpenter
62 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:19:00
Time for a pint - yes, I know it's early....
Oscar Huglin
63 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:19:16
Thanks for bringing back the School of Science, Roberto. Shame you couldn't build on your first season. Bring in Pellegrini, Koeman or De Boer please, BK/FM.
Mike Williams
65 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:19:34
According to the BBC, it's official now!!
Richard Reeves
66 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:19:35
Hopefully the beginning of a new era where the club are serious in getting back to where we all want to be. Now go get De Boer.
Neil Roberts
67 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:20:34
excellent news !! Only another 6 month to go before a new manager is named
Terence Beresford
68 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:20:59
Thing is he would have stayed had he not been sacked. You couldn't make it up.
Steve Brown
70 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:21:09
Give me a winner any time, no matter how arrogant. Fergie wasn't nice all that often but count the trophies.
David Hendricks
71 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:22:05
The Boards handling over this entire affair has been diabolical and leaves a stain on the entire Club including the players. Bill should be held to account over this by the fans and the media as it has been embarrassingly unprofessional.

Roberto’s sacking should be seen as only a first step in putting this Club on the mend and Bill should be the next to leave as steps are put in place to ensure this Club starts being run like a professional business.

Conor Skelly
72 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:22:23
Thank God that nightmare is over but I think it could be more of the same less the bull-shit with Deboer. His tactics come from the very same school of thought. We need a drill sergeant to wake this lot up. A high intensity coach that will encourage fitness above all else. We have the talent we just don't have the power and tenacity that comes with fitness.
Gerry Quinn
73 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:22:46
It will only be OFFICIAL when the club announces it - which they HAVEN'T.
I want him out, but I do not trust this board
Julian Exshaw
74 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:23:01
Roberto Martinez's vision and desire to see a certain type of football being played was simply not for us nor, sadly, successful. I am convinced he wanted the best for EFC and can only assume he did his best. For that I say thank you Roberto and hope that you find a place for the kind of football you believe in.
Kevin Rowlands
75 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:23:06
What a phenomenal day I'm having after seeing this incredible news, goodbye and good fucking riddance!
Dan Brierley
76 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:23:13
Finally the nightmare is over. I never wanted this fraud from day one, and couldn't warm to him even during some good runs. No hard feelings, he didn't select himself. I get the feeling that Kenwright listened to the supporters for that appointment, as Martinez was way out ahead in any of the polls. I hope this time they do their homework properly, and find somebody who gets us back up towards the top of the table. Despite his poor tenure, I don't think too much long term damage has been done. We still have a decent squad, but perhaps lacking in genuine leaders.

My hope is that now our top players will stay around and reset themselves under a different manager. Lets find somebody that knows what it means to be lucky enough to play for Everton, and sends out the players fighting every single week.

Joseph Terrence
77 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:23:20
Really wish he could have succeeded as he seems like a genuinely nice guy. It's just unfortunate that BK has left him in charge for so long as it became crystal clear he wasn't the man around about November. I truly do wish Bobby well and I hope he is successful at his next club.

Now please get FdB in (if Mourinho is not interested)

Chris Williams
78 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:23:58
The right decision, a bit too late, but before it could really turn nasty.

So now time to move on and mend a broken club. New managerial team, different philosophy, proper ambition, and a winning mentality.

Next step now critical and will reveal Moshiri's true mettle and scope of ambition.

Please surprise and delight us.

Scott Hamilton
79 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:24:05
It's time to bring in the sort of manager that makes a statement to the world:

This is Everton. We're a big club. We're about to get even bigger.

Martin Nicholls
80 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:24:40
Any comment from those who have repeatedly told us with complete conviction (and some claims of inside knowledge) that he would be here next season? Come on lads - you know who you are!
John Louis Jones
81 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:25:12
Jose would be good as would Mancini

de Boer ok..

Kevin Judge
82 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:26:09
Good luck Roberto, you tried and failed at our club.

NSNO now for us.

Lukaku and Stones not far behind you hopefully too.

Sean Patton
83 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:27:35
It is a real shame it didnt work out Martinez suffered far more abuse than he should have done especially as the last guy was cheered from the rafters for running his contract down and taking the mick.

While his time was up I wonder if the decision was know earlier as this bad run of form coincides with the time Moshiri came on board.

Finally I wont forget the shameful displays of a number of the current players these last few months and I use the word current in hopeful anticipation of the new manager firing them out the door.

Phil Jeffries
84 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:27:46
OK... here goes... aim high and see who takes the job! I'm just happy that Martinez is gone. Wish him well, but the guy was just not good enough. COYB!
Peter Cummings
85 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:28:02
Let's be honest, all the blame for our present position can't all be put on Martinez, both Kenwright and Elstone along with a gutless board are equally guilty of refusing to face reality by treating the long suffering fans like like ignorant no marks and should also be held accountable.
The best that can be said about RM is that he tried,and failed, to inspire and motivate both fans and players, Just let him go with some dignity, he deserves that.
Eugene Ruane
86 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:28:18
Frank - '..not another arrogant manager like Mourinho.'

Here are 5 managers all described as arrogant at one time or another - can you find any link between them?

Harry Catterick.

Alex Ferguson.

Brian Clough

Bill Shankly

Jose Mourinho.

Colin Hughes
87 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:28:40
Frank de boer is now 4/11 fav to get the job, which is good as nailed on.Just hope his football doesn't mirror his name if it's to be him.
John Jennings
88 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:28:45
Does anyone know who the leading light for the Blue Union is ? The website is not the greatest for finding info
Peter Carpenter
89 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:29:41
Nick, more from my correspondent Hans van Hague;

'Can he change tactics.. Yes, he has done it.. but sometimes it worked out and sometimes it did not.... Have to stay a bit unclear on this one, I am afraid....

I do not think he is a crowd pleaser/demagoge/nutter like Simeone. He is more introvert (and some non Ajax supporters would call him slightly boring and arrogant..)'

No, no, no to Mourinho - cocked up with a championship winning team, too pig-headed to apologise over the doctor and it brought it all crumbling down - totally unable to put right what was going wrong and no ability/desire to bring on young players.

De Boer brings on good young players at Ajax and we appear to have some of those in Dowell, Holgate, Walsh, Galloway and others.

James Carlisle
90 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:30:20
Bigger task of getting rid of the chairman now.
Colin Malone
91 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:30:41
Jose please. You can trust him with funds, we know what we are going to get. De Boar? unproven, comes from a league which is a two or three horse race. So If I was Moshri, I would not throw the cash with De Boar until we can see, he has got the pedigree or we will end up like QPR.
Rupert Sullivan
92 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:31:09
Don't misunderstand me - this is good news, but FAR too late!!

After the Liverpool game there was only the FA Cup to play for - he should have been sacked then, failing that, after the cup loss so as not to further demoralise the team and to allow any new manager to start building an atmosphere which could keep the key people at the club. To sack him now, one game before the end of the season is utterly incomprehensible to me.

Perhaps the announcement from De Boer precipitated this, but I cannot help but fear that players like Lukaku will have spent the last several weeks courting other clubs because they were disillusioned. Only time will tell...

David Edwards
93 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:33:34
Gone at last - that took far too long, but feeling a real sense of relief that we can now move on when it comes to next season. Well done to all the fans who have kept the pressure on at matches, in the pub and on the web - with this site deserving most praise.

We don't know what the future holds, and no doubt some of the stubborn 5% will say 'we should have stuck with Martinez' when we get a future set back - but there was really no alternative.

Let's hope for a board 'realignment' in the weeks to come, and hopefully Bill taking a back seat.

Let's give Norwich a real hiding on Sunday, to send out a signal that we are back on track!!!!! COYBs - Oh happy day!!!!!!!!!

James Marshall
94 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:34:48
We need the most arrogant manager, and players available. I never understand this thing about not wanting arrogance around - you need arrogance to be successful, otherwise you're Everton.
Kim Vivian
95 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:34:58
Yes....It's like having a bad tooth taken out. Relief is the word I think.

On a human level, however, I do feel sorry for him. Failure is an incredibly humbling thing.

Denis Richardson
96 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:35:07
Better late than never but this should have happened at least at the end of last season. The signs were already there as far back as xmas 2014 when we lost 4 league games on the bounce.

A waste of a season but at least we're finally there. Now we can look forward to what will be a massive summer, both on the manager and squad side.

Alex Bennett
97 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:35:16
que sera sera
whatever will be will be
we've got rid of bobby bobby
que sera sera!
James Hughes
98 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:36:02
Brilliant news IMO first step of stopping the decline and disarray we are suffering. He won me over in his first season but then did his best to prove my unease right.

Good bye and good riddance

Mark Melton
99 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:36:09
James (60) I like the sound of that pie
Paul Andrews
101 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:37:22
Give me Mourinho any day.

We need a nasty bastard who will come in and cause murder from day one.

James Watts
102 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:37:44
I was one who thought he would be here next season Martin (80). No inside information, was just my gut feeling. Turns out I needed the toilet and he's been sacked. So happy right now.
Bob Cumiskey
103 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:38:05
Finish the job now Everton please. Lawrence, Jones and Ferguson out too!!

COYB, let's have a real winner put in charge who takes no prisoners.

New beginnings all round please.
Brendan Fox
104 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:38:37
Thank fuck for that! Still came three weeks too late.

Call me sceptical but what's the chance Frank De Boer has been tapped up and asked to resign at Ajax to save on compo payments to enable extra's to be paid such as a signing on fee etc?

The supporters need to keep up the protest to get rid of Kenwright as until he is gone as chairman if the club is to really move forward.

Bill you've had your time pass on the reigns!

NSNO! COYB

Craig Walker
105 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:38:53
Seam #83. Well said. Martinez needs to be the first of many out of the door. I think only Gareth Barry has shown anything like some ability and fight in the last few months.

Let's not believe that this is a talented group of players. It plainly isn't. I'm not repeating the same stuff again but not one of them is good enough for Everton FC and some of them have the audacity to believe that they are too good. We like to laugh at the RS but seriously, how many of our players would get into their current team? The likes of Allen and Milner would walk into our team. We have the worst goalkeeping duo in the league, without a doubt for starters. We've had two class goalkeepers in my 35 years of supporting Everton. That needs to be urgently addressed as a starting point.

What will the awards be for tonight? Best dressed player? Worst hair cut?

James Marshall
106 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:38:54
A (Mark) Melton (Mowbray) port pie!
James Marshall
107 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:39:11
*pork even
Tony Byrne
108 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:40:12
The phenomenol fraud has gone at last.

Moshiri now must approach Southampton for permission to speak to Koeman,number one choice for me.

Dan Parker
109 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:40:21
It's bizarre reading comments from 'fans' of other clubs on BBC, probably predominantly kopites but the usual 'mid-table club', 'living off past glories', 'what did we expect, never a top four side' comments.

Excuse me but didn't Leicester just win the Premier League!?

Derek Turner
110 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:40:22
Only 20 minutes till I finnish work and then I am going to celebrate. The last few weeks have been hell, the football shite, the mockery of my colleagues over yet another spineless performance consigned to history! Until next season anyway.
Jay Woods
111 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:40:37
I have no doubt he is a very nice person and you have to feel for him that it ended this way. And I agree with Sean Patton that some of the players have been a disgrace.

That all said, I am 50% pleased. Now we need Kenwright out as well, and we can really get our hopes up for a new era.

Dazz Storm
112 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:41:17
Thank Fuck for that...man they dragged that out.

I'm hoping for De Boer and Co to be installed asap personally, I don't want the deluded one anywhere near our club...maybe on match days in the opposite dugout.

Finally rid of the spanner...i hope the rest of the shite back lot follow immediately.

Happy days lads...definitely not too early for a pint now!!!

Derek Thomas
113 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:41:51
If it does turn out to be FdB, well we know why the wait.
John Malone
114 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:42:41
Great news! Like a weight has been lifted! we can now enjoy the summer and the anticipatipn of a new manager an new signings!

De boer or Koeman for me!

Jamie Crowley
115 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:42:47
I'd like to echo Julian's sentiments at 74.

I truly believe Roberto had the best of intentions for Everton and I wish him all the best.

His ideas of buying young talent who's values would increase (hopefully dramatically) were an excellent business model for Everton.

His inability to tactically "get it right" was his demise.

I'm glad he's gone. He had to go. He'd lost the dressing room.

But I wish him all the luck in the world.

He tried, some of his ideas were actually fantastic, but in the end he failed. He's fallen off his proverbial bike and I hope he gets back up, jumps on that bike, and rides again.

Karl Parsons
116 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:43:17
I'm in a good moment
John Crook
117 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:43:48
I hope Moshri is similar to the guys who run spurs (yes I know he's ex arsenal). My point being spurs have been absolutely ruthless with managers, until they finally got the right man. If it wasn't for a freak Leicester season then spurs would of won the league. I hope that Mr Moshri is running the show upstairs as chief decision maker even if he is not the majority shareholder. I feel such a sense of relief, so much so I have just got a couple of tickets from Stubbhub to attend Sunday's match, looking forward to what should be a new dawn. A new dawn being the departure of Martinez, Jones et al and the probable last playing appearances of Howard, Hibbert and Osman?? I do feel a sense of guilt for Roberto, I truly believed we had found the right one, it all looked good after the 72 points in 13/14 followed by the permanent capture of Lukaku. With the benefit of hindsight though, Martinez just isn't flexible enough in his approach. The mystery to departures such as Eto and Distin were obviously to do with falling outs over the Spaniard's training (or non training) methods. I wish Roberto the best. He has managed to attract a few top notch players to the club, but Everton football club can not tread the same route as aston villa, and under his stewardship and shocking home record then that's were we would end up. I wait with anticipation for an announcement of a new manager, I'm just please to have a little bit of belief restored inside myself, feel like some hope has returned. Somehow Martinez (for someone apparently so positive) has sucked all that out of us. There are several great nights to remember under Roberto (Man Utd away, Wolfsburg away, couple of good wins at home v united, the 3 nil arsenal match) but we, as the best and most loyal fans in the land, do not deserve a 'coach' who doesn't see the point spending time on corners and who has made a very solid defence look comparable to relegated villa's. Hopefully our next appointment can finally bring a trophy. COYB
Oliver Molloy
118 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:45:15
Scott @ 79.

But we are NOT a big club. We were once looked at as a big club but years and years and years of neglect, bad management , no investment have seen us become " best of the rest" under Moyes.

A lot of money will need to thrown at Everton to make us " a big club " and time will tell if our new investor will be prepared to do so.

I'm not sure this guy is going to do what it will take.


John Critchley
119 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:46:18
Glad he's gone, but as usual with this board it dragged on too long! He should of went months ago, if not end of last season.

We had a poll to see did the fans want to get rid of Martinez! Can we possibly have one about "do you think Kenwright should also step down"

Ian Burns
120 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:46:20
"What a Manager" seems to be somewhat embarrassing - but it has worked against him. I just want somebody on national tv to say "What a Chairman" and hope it has the same effect!
Barry Johnson
121 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:46:52
Whoo fucking ray. There is a God. Anyone will do except for dithering Davey.
David Hallwood
122 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:47:10
Gerry(#73) apparently they're negotiating compo. Now he's gone, I'd like to see the personal abuse directed at him go as well. He is a coach with fixed ideas on how the game should be played, and calling him or the b's and c's is uncalled for, and chav-like.

If anyone can remember that far back, he reminds me of Ossie Ardiles' time as manager of Spurs, when he introduced an all out attacking style-and got slaughtered game after game.

The fact we got beaten by 3 set pieces that resulted in schoolboy defending errors, is Bobby's tenure in a microcosm. I doubt if he'll ever get a job in EPL again.

Will Firstbrook
123 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:47:18
Completely avoidable and mismanaged situation. That is on BK and the Board. Their inability and unwillingness to do the right thing at the right time here would have spared the man, players and fans all this toxicity.

Any meaningful rebuild must also include removal of BK and ideally Elstone from the picture along with anyone else in the Executive associated with the old guard. Without doubt, their continued involvement in club business will only undermine the effectiveness of that process.

Frank Thomas
124 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:47:39
Martin (80) I was convinced, not informed, that Roberto had until December based on some of the good football we have done and the fact that we have been unlucky with some dreadful decisions by refs

Some example of bad ref decisions are Terry's clearly offside equaliser at Stamford Bridge (lost 2pts), tugs on Mirallas no free kick when he was away (lost 2pts) and when Stones got the ball against Stoke and they got a penalty (lost 1pt). There are others but those decision cost at least 5 points.

The timing seems prearranged that Frank De Boer has resigned only after his club has failed to win the league and at the same time Valencia now has a vacancy and would like Roberto. This would be a caring, clever way typical of Everton which allows everyone to keep the respect of their club and management. He may have been offered a chance to leave at the end of this season with little or no severance pay or a chance to stay until Christmas and then sacked if he fails to meet targets and maybe then remain unemployed.
Which opportunity would you take if you were Roberto?

Jackie Barry
125 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:48:04
It's a disgrace that kenwright saves face for doing this yet he is ultimately responsible for the mismatch in the first place.
Kristian Boyce
126 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:48:25
I'm happy my tweet made the BBC Sports Day page, my life is complete
Craig Walker
127 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:49:14
I started to get nervous for Bobby as Everton manager the day I saw the Sin Miedo mural on the side of Goodison. Who'd have thought that it was that terrible club crest which made us good eh?
Paul Andrews
128 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:49:28
We need a concerted effort to get rid of onion head now. Use the momentum hopefully to rid the club of the chap responsible for the position we find ourselves in.

Years upon years of living hand to mouth being bailed out by the friend of Everton (for a high interest rate undoubtedly).

Kenwright is the antithesis for what I consider a man should have as qualities in his day-to-day manner. A snake-oil salesman, he makes my skin crawl when he starts the insincere bollocks.

Tony Draper
129 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:50:07
I can not celebrate this.
So long Roberto, please learn and get it right next time.
I'm certain that you will find another club willing to take up upon your sunny enthusiasm.
Fans are the beating heart of the game, far, far, far more important than ideals or philosophies.

I will praise and thank you for removing the 11 year old blinkers from Evertonian eyes. You failed to deliver Roberto. But, as Randall P. McMurphy said in "One flew over the cuckoos nest"....... "I tried, at least I did that much... I tried".

Good luck Roberto, but, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, listen to the fans next time ?
Adios amigo.

Matt Muzi
131 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:51:15
It's been very very painful, I'm all for not making rash decisions, but this should of been done a long time ago.

Personally I think we need a manager with current premiership experience. We experimented with Roberto, knowing he'd just been relegated at a small club with limited finances, but won the FA cup... it has all backfired and if Lukaku had sustained a long term injury this season, we'd undoubtedly have been relegated. Don't take it that means I'm a fan of Lukaku!

Whoever takes over they've got a big job, we've a plethora of players who are past their best, not good enough and still have the glaring lack of players in key positions that have needed covering for three seasons since RM took over.

Anyway farewell Roberto, one Bobby out, one Bobby & one Bill to go!

John Ford
132 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:52:11
My reading is he was gone after the Liverpool game but was told to continue to the end of the season. The results and performances were subsequently abysmal so they've got rid now and saved him an afternoon of complete misery Vs Norwich.

I don't see what difference it would have made if he'd gone a month or whatever ago. He was a dead man walking and the priority after the semi final was solely next season. Several players need a kick in the nads for the way they've given up on the pitch. I don't care how bad things are, the bare minimum is to give absolutely everything even when any semblence of teamwork and individual form dissolve.

I'm feeling positive about a new start. De Boers an interesting one. Apparently quite a cold character though I'm not really arsed provided we get a team we can be proud of

Richard Reeves
133 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:52:24
Peter Carpenter (#89),you're right, he does bring on good young players at Ajax. This is the current squad's age stats (appologies for not typing in the names, I couldn't be arsed)...

Goalkeepers: 27, 35, 20.
Defenders: 24, 23, 20, 23, 20, 24, 19, 26, 19.
Midfielders: 19, 23, 24, 20, 26, 19.
Attackers: 21, 22, 21, 18, 22, 29, 21, 20.

Gordon Crawford
134 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:55:25
Colin, going by Ajax fans who watch the team week in and week out, he is very boring. He is all about possession and looking for that killer ball. I'm not convinced that he is the right man for us.

My list:

Mourinho
Koeman
Bielsa
Manchini
Hiddink
Pellegrini
Emery
Anceloti

Damian Halligan
136 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:56:09
Adios or as we used to say in Illchester Square.......*******
Roy Johnstone
137 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:58:36
Thank God. The last few weeks have been low, certainly up there with WalterSmiths final weeks. Two words Bobby - Championship Manager, and I don't mean the game.
James Marshall
138 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:58:39
A cold character would be good for us - all the best managers are tough leaders, and not friends of the players who pussyfoot around.

I'll bet you behind closed doors, even Clippety Klopp is a tough manager, even though he's out there hugging all those horrible red-shites at Mordor when they sneak a late winner.

I'd be happy with de Boer - I've always liked the Dutch mentality, and the guy played loads of games for Ajax & Barcelona, was assistant manager of the Dutch side that got to the World cup final, and just won 4 Dutch titles on the trot (nobody has ever done that). He has pedigree, he has a world name, is well respected by media, players and supporters alike and would do wonders for our presence.

We need to be taken seriously, so we need a serious individual at the helm. I'm all for de Boer with Jaap Stam as his assistant.

Jamie Crowley
139 Posted 12/05/2016 at 14:59:02
Matt -

We do have some players that need moving on. But we also have some bright young talent in:

Stones, Lu, (the first two probably out the door but...), Besic, Delo, Pennington, Connolly, Barkley, Ledson, Galloway, Dowell, Henen....

I'm probably even missing a few, but the fact is we have a few young players who's future could be bright.

I think, with the right manager, hope will be restored and changes made.

James Marshall
140 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:00:20
Oh, and for anyone talking about him playing a boring style - it might be boring but it's effective. Ask Jose Mourinho.

If you want interesting, thats fine, but I want winning football, and I don't care how I get it.

Ian Hollingworth
141 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:01:32
Phenomenal, incredible news. This is the moment we have been waiting for.

I am over the moon.

Now come on Everton (Mr Moshi) show some ambition and bring in a top manager.

Mick Davies
142 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:01:49
Thanks Roberto; for taking the development of our club back a decade, for promising Champions League but putting media work in Brazil before preparing the players for the season; for talking pure bullshit to cover up your lack of ability; for degrading one of our great players of the last decade in public and for standing arrogantly (for 3 seasons) with your back to those who you employed to assist you.

I for one will never forgive you for destroying the stability we had thanks to RSM Moyes, and begrudge all the money you will take from OUR club thanks to your love in with the pantomime clown . . adios charlatan and a happy 4-0, 4-0 to you
Jay Harris
143 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:02:07
Brilliant news and now we need to take time to consider all suitable applicants and make a football decision not one based on your mates advice while bunging him 1.5m.

I am lead to believe the board was split on this but Moshiri took the lead and is leading the search for a new manager.

No need to ask where the split was.

It is also being said that De Boer is going to Inter Milan. I personally would prefer Koeman, proven experience in the Prem and produced two good teams with consistency over the season despite having to sell off some of his best players.

I would also consider Emre and Tuchel but they appear to be nowhere in the betting.

Hope to see an exciting end to the season on Sunday with the supporters right behind the players so we can see the "Sin Martinez" effect

Francis Gibson
144 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:02:13
It bears mentioning here that both the players and the board share responsibility with the management team for the sorry state the club is in.

While this news is welcome relief, it's only the first step on a long road to bringing the club back to where it belongs. This should only be the first of many more moves that need to occur over the summer.

Ryan Rosenberg
145 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:03:24
I'm 20, and I've only been following Everton since I was 10. I never witnessed any of Everton's glory days. I thought Moyes was a decent manager, but I hated watching his style. That all changed during Martinez's first season. He completely changed my attitude. He 'got' the club. The football was incredible (pun intended) and I genuinely thought for the first time the future was bright. Which makes this all the more depressing.

He had to go. After last season I was prepared to give him another year, but this season has been a complete disaster. His unwillingness to be flexible and failure to learn from the same mistakes made his position untenable. However, I'm quite disappointed in some of the users on ToffeeWeb. The vitriol towards Martinez is completely uncalled for. He loved the club and was a wonderful ambassador. He wasn't going to resign, and why should he? All the blame should be directed at the delusional Kenwright and his utterly incompetent board. It's their failure for dragging this on for far too long.

Also, anybody who thinks this squad is the "best we've had in 30 years" is delusional. It's not even close to Moyes's best side. Bar Lukaku, the players are incredibly overrated.

I will be furious if the club go for a 'battler' like Moyes/Hughes/O'Neill, a has-been like Pellegrini or another unproven manager like De Boer/Howe. My first preference is Lucien Favre, then Rafael Benitez. Both realistic. Do what you have to do, Farhad.

Paul Kennedy
146 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:03:57
I would like to say something nice about him but I can't...

So glad he has gone or Championship beckoned.

Tony Graham
147 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:05:55
Change the banners now to KENWRIGHT OUT!!!
Tony Dove
148 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:06:16
Dave@40. Agree with everything you say.A nice man but had to go.
John Ford
149 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:07:16
Agreed James. I'm also not really arsed what managers actually say generally, although Roberto became a bit of a bad joke towards the end. They have dull as shit questions to answer all the time so whilst a bit of character would be good, and it's unfortunately hard to dislike Klopp, I'm only interested in what happens on the pitch.

I'd have Iain Duncan Smith if he won trophies

Steavey Buckley
150 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:08:06
De Boer does not play like Martinez, he plays a 4-3-3, the best system of playing attacking football. 2 out wide and a striker in the centre, all with attacking intent. Compared to Martinez who left Lukaku isolated upfront and Barkley in the middle always losing the ball. The rest of the team playing so deep there was always a big gap and catch up for the rest of the team chasing back as the opposition flooded forward.
Trevor Peers
151 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:10:44
Nice guys win sweet FA in football, I'm not convinced Roberto was that nice a man anyway. Deluded amateur, tactically inept with a vindictive streak, is a better description. His backroom staff were all obviously third rate as well.

Why it's taken this long to make a simple decision is down to Kenwright. His lack of knowledge about football is embarrassing, he's a theatre person and should resign.

Jose would be the best bet a real winner with balls of steel, but he's nailed on for the United job.
Koeman is probably the one to go for, he is calm and disciplined. De Boer has a philosophy, so no thanks. I hope Moshiri appoints a chairman with a wealth of football knowledge, maybe then we could finally move forward.

James Stewart
152 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:11:39
Mourinho
Koeman
Bielsa
Manchini
De Boer

All good options. Don't want Pellegrini, Hughes, O' Neill, Moyes, Howe

Alan Bodell
153 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:11:43
It will be interesting to see the technical area on Sunday, I like Duncan but his input on match days has been non existence and I want a clean out totally from the first team coaches.
John Keating
154 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:12:07
No sympathy whatsoever for him.
Not many folk get sacked and leave with millions so I'm sure he won't starve.
Mr Moshiri should make sure that every penny of compo this clown gets is paid for by Bill out of the millions he's got for his shares. If Bill hadn't given him such a long term lucrative contract he would have got exactly what he deserves...fuck all !
Nick Page
155 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:12:59
Someone said would be done this lunchtime all in time for the boys pen mentalist to show his big fat kite at the "awards" this evening plus blow the protest out. Anyway, whoever it was...kudos to you

If Moshiri is as ambitious as I think he might be, we have to try for Mourinho. FdB won't cut it in the prem just yet esp with a fragile side like ours will be.

Ged Simpson
156 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:13:08
Nice guy...insecure footy manager. Never could accept own errors.

Good luck in future.

Adios

Andy Meighan
157 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:15:33
This should've happened weeks ago because I'm convinced we would have a cup final to look forward to. Anyway that's all water under the bridge now.

And I sincerely hope no-one comes on with the "I feel sorry for him, Nice guy" etc lines because I'll scream. He is a horrible bastard who, in the space of a few short months, has made us a laughing stock.

He's getting well rewarded for failure. So save your sympathies for the poor souls who paid to witness the last 3 away games. Let's just hope we now get a manager we deserve.

Frank Thomas
158 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:15:39
Ryan (145) I think Lucien Favre looks good choice he has not expressed a desire to come here. At least Klopp expressed an interest in going to LFC.

Still think Frank De Boer is favourite.

James Marshall
159 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:16:42
Rhino in charge for the Norwich game! :)
Matt Muzi
160 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:17:56
Jamie@139

Possibly could of worded my point better, but I'm talking about Osman, Pieenar, Howard (I know he's going, but personally I think he should of gone some time ago), Hibbert, Oviedo, Gibson (too injury prone!), McGeady, Kone, Cleverley and the then there's Niasse.

Barry who has had a good season is coming to the end. Jagielka is getting no younger as is Baines. Then you have to consider at least one if not both Stones and Lukaku will go this summer.

If anything the injury to Seamus has highlighted the need for competitive cover. Personally I was happy with Connolly and think he should of been given more opportunities, but he wasn't.

No doubt we've got some exciting prospects at the club, but we should of got a new GK, right back, left winger some time ago and I'm a firm believer you need an experienced spine to any team.

And it's because of the above I stand by my point whoever comes in has got a big job to do.

Joe Edwards
161 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:18:38
With a bit of luck, he will return to raid us for Kone, Niasse, McGeady, Gibson and Cleverley.
Robert Workman
162 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:19:39
Should have been sacked after the West Ham debacle, which is when I finally lost it with Martinez.

When the dust has settled, it would be interesting to see an analysis of just why he had such a good first season, then went slowly downhill afterwards - quite the opposite to what might have been expected.

Hoping to see a few young players on sunday, but David Unsworth should not be criticised if he doesn't bring in as many as we would like.
Howard still in goal?

James Marshall
163 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:20:19
I'm reading that he's going to get £12m in compensation - couldn't we just give him Niasse and call it quits?
Joe Brennan
164 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:21:27
Maybe it's the cynic in me but could the timing of this (bearing in mind it's not yet official) be to clear the way for BK's self love in at the awards tonight in the hope that the expected demonstration doesn't now take place.

Followed by an announcement on Monday that "Well, unfortunately Roberto went down with a terrible tummy bug on Thursday morning so I told him he should stay at home in bed and get himself fit for the pre-season exchange of holiday stories"

BK and his cronies should also be asked to leave.

Jim Hardin
166 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:23:52
Matt #131,

As for a manager with EPL experience, why? Klopp isn't doing badly is he? Jose did okay his first time around too. I would prefer someone who has been in the EPL and succeeded at winning the league and competing in Europe. Mancini or even Rafa would fit that bill. No Jose though as he recently has left teams worse than when he arrived. Koeman is interesting also but hasn't won anything.

However, I have no problem with a non-EPL coach such as Emery who has won in Europe and goes head to head with three of the perennial top 8 teams in the world in his league. Would have to hurry though as Milan is interested in him too.

Why not ask Diego to come so he can match up against Klopp, Pep, and possibly, Jose? The worst is he says no but maybe he surprises us.

Barring the above, Koeman, de Boer or Puel are the three for me to look at.

If everone else says no, we can say we tried and get Dyche or the M word.

John Daley
167 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:24:36
"We need the most arrogant manager, and players available. I never understand this thing about not wanting arrogance around - you need arrogance to be successful, otherwise you're Everton."

If arrogance counts above all else then why isn't Alan Pardew the most succesful manager in world football and how did Claudio Ranieri lead Leicester to the title with all that 'loser' humble humility shite?

Alan Bodell
168 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:24:42
Tony D. # 129, good shout mate and it saves us the serious actions that could have come on Sunday if he was in the dug out.
Oliver Molloy
169 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:25:47
Ryan , well said...I agree

Martinez did an amazing job in his first season with the benefit of some super loan deals playing out of their skin he nearly got us to the CL like he said he would.

The problem was after that first season the bar was set so high it proved very difficult for him.
The main reason being teams had found us out and Martinez had no answer to finding them out.
He's a nice man who tried and failed with his "you score 2 we score 3" philosophy of how the game should be played.
You can only get away with this type of coaching for so long and as in any walk of team sports if the manager is a one trick pony the end game will always be the same.

Adios amigo I wish you well.

Damian Wilde
171 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:28:06
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
James Stewart
172 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:30:34
Seen his bitter exit interview on sky. Good riddance!
Kevin Rudge
173 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:32:27
Still nothing official from the club... could this be a ploy to stop the demonstration at the awards dinner tonight? Would anybody be surprised?

Bob Heyward
174 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:33:53
What a shock. Not. I, along with the likes of Phil and Ross, have been calling for this for a long time. It was the right decision in January 2015. Today, it is a long, long overdue decision.

Now it's done, I hope we never again become so wrapped in a managers spin that we somehow forget to judge him on his actions, not words. I hope we never again desperately attempt to see swallows where no summer existed, just because a manager tells us he has a 'philosophy'.

Anyway, onwards and upwards for the Blue Army. I'm going for a crazy double at Coral – Mourinho in and Rooney transferred. It'd buy a few pints...


Dave Lynch
175 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:34:44
For those worried about De Boer.

His 2 side kicks are Japp and Dennis the Menace, I think those 2 know a thing or 2 about what it takes in the prem, so If he does come let's hope they follow him.

Matt Butlin
176 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:35:12
This is right for us and right for him. I'm always sad when an Everton manager get the boot because ultimately its an admition that we've reached an unrecoverable point. Hope his next job turns out better and our next manager has a better plan! Oh. And Moshiri coughs up a load of cash!
Peter Carpenter
177 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:35:13
Shit, I've just had 5000 tennis balls delivered.
Anyone got Wimbledon's phone number? (no, not the football club)
Paul Birmingham
178 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:36:40
The experimental Martinez project is over! God forbid the board if they don't get the successor right. Now also to be ruthless and get shut of the deadwood, the shirkers and want-aways; basically the whole 1st team, bar the kids and Barry. Here's to fresh hope and a new dawn for EFC!
Matt Muzi
179 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:37:57
Jim

I agree with all your points, but personally I would prefer someone with premiership experience, Koeman would be my first choice. My main concern is that all the teams will have significant funds to invest over the summer, so someone who knows the league could only be an advantage.

I'm not adverse to the right man, who doesn't have prem experience, could you imagine if we got Simeone!

In an ideal world I'd want Billic. If only we'd got him in, before West Ham!

Joe Foster
181 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:42:00
The guy is in over his head as a Premier League manager. Apparently not the nice guy some people think – more of an ego-maniac.

He got lucky in his first season with us and then went about destroying any chance that luck could be replicated.

Jim Burns
182 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:42:01
Nice one Tony @129.

Frank Wade
183 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:44:21
Eugene, maybe 'arrogant' was the wrong word I chose to describe Mourinho. Maybe nasty would have been better. How did he get on this season? He couldn't motivate the champions to work for him. I would like a likeable manager for Everton, not someone who is hated throughout the football world, constant whinging at referees Fa and opposing players and managers, absolutely no sportsmanship. Everton are the Peoples Club, do great community work. The Mourinho image would taint our great club. He doesn't deserve the job after the doctor and eye poking incidents. In any event, he wouldn't be interested unless he had resources to win title in first season.
Rob Tedford
184 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:44:44
De Boer and his team of Stam and Bergkamp sound great but are unproven. All the other names thrown about are hardly top class – that's cos a top class manager wouldn't come to us unfortunately.

I would try Frank Rijkaard, managed the biggest and best players and what a player he was.

I would also like to see our new owner appoint his old mate David Dein. Arsenal haven't been the same since he left; he could shake the boardroom up.

John Keating
185 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:45:09
Now that the "monkey" is out the way Moshiri should get rid of the "organ grinder" asap
And, while he's at it get shot of Elstone - another waste of space.
Should be a new Night of the Long Knives !
But eh, let's not forget the rest of the characters in the farce that has been the last two seasons.
Personally I'd ask Tony Bellew to oversea the chastising of the players for their part in this debacle.
They should all be sat down and asked straight if they want to play for our Club.
Anyone not happy straight on the transfer list the fu..ing lot of them !
James Marshall
186 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:45:51
John@167 - I didn't say it counts above all else. Please try & stop picking holes in everything people say. Just be happy like the rest of us that Martinez has gone!
David Hendricks
187 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:46:42
Have you seen his press statement? Deluded to the end. I was feeling sorry for him but not anymore. What a fool!

“I am disappointed by the decision. I feel with more backing from the Board I could have turned things around. I have worked with limited resources for 3 years, as well as incredible pressure from fans. Me and my staff have achieved great things here, and our time has been a success. I wish the Club all the best”

[This is fake, folks – Mods]

Alan J Thompson
188 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:47:57
Having been sacked several times in my lifetime and having fired people, I know which is easier. The former is eased by the size of the payout and gets harder if it takes too long to find something else.
Accordingly, and despite the fact that he had reached the end of this road, I don't rejoice in anyone's downfall.
I wish him all luck and a better future for all involved.
Paul Kossoff
189 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:48:04
I think Mr Loyd should put up a vote on here as to who 'we' want as the next manager, send the result to Kenwright quickly. De Boer for me.

I hope we don't get any 'Good luck wish him all the best' for Martinez as he has ruined this club and been well paid for it. I hope Kenwright is the next to leave.

Andy Codling
190 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:49:01
Fuck me David , he really does believe his own bullshit!
Max Fine
191 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:50:00
I'm all for giving players freedom to express themselves and his "philosophy" was a welcome relief to the dour "safety first" Moyes era. However towards the end of his tenure there was absolutely no discipline in Martinez's team whatsoever, hence the increasing individual errors and general kamikaze attitude.

I still think that we played some of the best football I have ever witnessed at Goodison under Martinez and he oversaw us signing (and retaining) some absolute superstars. But there was no recovering from the way this season has concluded and it didn't look like he had the ability to turn us around. I still think he's a decent manager (but a poor coach) and with better backroom staff he can still be a success at a different club.

Whoever does take over from Martinez I hope has the personality and reputation required to retain our better players as I think that's our priority. I also wouldn't be averse to seeing the likes of McGeady, Pienaar, McCarthy, Lennon and Cleverly all sharing the same taxi to wherever Martinez ends up.

Jimmi James
193 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:50:39
Okay, I admit it, I was one of those who was told from the *inside* that Martinez would be here next season. Looks like my mate got it wrong but it was a close run thing. I believe that if he had got good results in the last three games he probably would have stayed; however, I am so happy he has gone, so what now?

Well it looks like De Boer and for me it's a good appointment although not as exciting as some of the other names touted and I can only hope some here are wrong when they say we will have more of the same boring keep-ball at all costs... but whatever – the hard work starts now. Recruitment of players and the removal of the dead wood is vital.

On closing, can I wish Martinez all the best, he's done his best here but it just wasn't good enough – and can we please have rid of Kenwright as he is an even bigger problem than Roberto. Let's see now, eh?

Jay Wood
194 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:51:19
David @ 187. Just read the statement also. (First ABSOLUTELY CONCRETE confirmation that he truly has gone).

Delusional to the end, as you say.

David Chait
195 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:51:37
The FA Cup hid serious deficiencies in his time at Wigan, and had we luckily won it this season Roberto would have been here again.
He was a real gentleman and moved the mindset to a winning won very quickly in year 1 with some fantastic performances and wins against top 4 sides we hadn't enjoyed for years!

The cracks began to show in the run in to the end of season 1. For me I identify the 2-2 draw with Arsenal (was it the 2nd game of season 2) as the start of the end. The team played great stuff then capitulated in the last 10... we never really recovered and RM certainly never learnt his lesson over the full 2 seasons he had left with us.

I believe our inability to close out those games end of 2015 against Bournemouth and Chelsea, were not only evidence that RM had learnt nothing form season 2, but left such massive scars on the team they lost heart and 2016 is the result.

He wanted it to work and I believe he tried he level best. I will never hate him or call him this or that, but I'm relieved he is gone. Not glad as I do feel a bit sad for both him and us how low it has all gone. Relieved he can move on and hopefully for him find success, but especially relief for us. We have a new era, we have player potential I wont give up on, and we might have new manager who can unlock that potential together with new riches to establish us back where we belong!

John Keating
196 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:51:42
I think with some of his 12 million pay off he needs to book himself in somewhere.
He was deluded when he arrived now he's completely mental.
Unbelievable statements, deserves the sack just for his utterances.
Come in Ronald Koeman.
Mike Keating
197 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:52:26
Andrew Presley @ 32
Decide which is your least favourite testicle and kiss it goodbye
Rob Coles
198 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:54:21
Seems like with his phenomenal philosophy he was prepared to "go down with his ship", "play his lute" as his world burned around him.........he needs a long rest!!!
Peter Carpenter
199 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:54:49
Almost all of that is bullshit;
'backing from the board' - other boards would have got rid ages ago
'limited resources' - you made Everton's record signing
'pressure from fans' - there were no protests until you turned on Leighton Baines
'achieved great things' - such as? (record points in year 1, ok)
'been a success' - err, how?
Patrick Murphy
200 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:54:57
David (187) Where did you get that statement from as nothing has been officially announced the last time I checked?
Andy Codling
201 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:55:04
any links to his statement?
Steve Bingham
202 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:55:12
It's a monumental decision which has made a phenomenal day.
Andrew Clare
203 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:55:52
Sorry it didn't work out for him but he should have been removed a long time ago.
Now I just hope we hire a top manager who can change things quickly.
David Hendricks
204 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:56:27
statement on the below news feed if you go down a bit

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/12/Everton-sack-Roberto-Martinez---latest-reaction/

Jay Wood
205 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:57:08
Andrew @ 32.

You're talking bollock! (singular).

Agreed on 'he who shall not be named.'

Peter Carpenter
206 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:57:22
David, you made that statement up and I fell for it? Doh!
Simon Lloyd
207 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:57:28
Does this mean that Leighton Baines will be allowed to take penalties again?
Frank Wade
208 Posted 12/05/2016 at 15:58:57
Pienaar has just tweeted 'God is Great' so taking the news well.
John Armstrong
209 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:00:42
The statement looks made up to me - it's a screen grab supposedly from SSN posted on a Twitter account. Anyone got SSN on that can confirm if it's real or not? Surely he can't be that ungracious?
Jay Wood
210 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:01:14
Link to RM's statement.

Scroll down to the entry at 3.20pm as it is a live feed page, constantly updating:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/12/everton-sack-roberto-martinez---latest-reaction/

Nick Page
211 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:01:47
its a phenomenal statement but in this moment I don't have the right character to find on the internet? any links
David Hendricks
212 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:01:54
Peter at 206. See link at 204. Crazily enough the press statement looks legit but I do not blame you for thinking it was made up.
Phil Smith
213 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:04:14
I'm actually kinda sorry that he is leaving, in a way. He had got us playing the best football I've seen from an Everton side since the 80's and I really felt he could win a cup with us. I also felt he could get us relegated at the same time, so it is bitter-sweet. In the end, this is the best situation for the team. He's lost the core of the players first and then the fans. There was no way back after that. Hoped he would pull it around but some of his decisions and attitude have been baffling at times. Good luck Robbie, lad. Now get Franky boy in from Amsterdam! Hell of a player and looking good as a coach. Optimistic...
June Brennan
215 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:09:10
Although I am glad that he gone the players should be ashamed of themselves the way they have performed over the past few months. The semi at Wembley was a farce the way they played the first half, no passion and couldn't give a dam. Hope the new manager has a good clear out of the prima donas who think they are better than they are. Think you can play football then actions speak louder than words. Lets hope we get a name manager and not just someone on the cheap. The next few weeks will see what direction the club are heading in.
Matt Muzi
217 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:11:53
You have to access it from the Telegraph website using the links.

If he has said that, then he's an even more deluded than I thought. Not supported by the board.... the only reason he was still in a job this season is because of our 'wonderful' board. Any other club would have kicked him out May 2015!

Incredible pressure from the fans??? Good luck to him if he gets a job at another club, with their fans.

With more time I would have turned things round... no Roberto you would of relegated us!

Me and my staff have achieved great things here and our time has been a success...

Beggars belief!

Ron Marr
218 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:15:28
Great news. There is room in the taxi for Kenwright.

On a side note, I'd laugh hard if somebody knocks that squeaky voiced tart Carragher on his ass

Nicky Styles
219 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:16:55
@Jay Wood,

Thanks Jay for the link. Whether some fans think he is deluded or not, my first reaction to reading the statement is that he is bitter

Tim O'Connell
221 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:17:54
Relieved and a smile back on the face. Koeman I think has done an amazing job at Southampton , building and rebuilding the team very quickly and they play with energy and style - so he would be my choice. AT least something positive for us to debate!
Liam Reilly
222 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:19:20
Obviously thought he was going to get more time; but those days are gone thankfully.

Wish him well; but he's only got himself to blame. The same backroom staff that relegated Wigan were on course to do the same job here.

A manager with more conviction would've fired them after season 2 and brought in some distinguished coaches.

Luke Campbell
223 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:19:38
I'm happy for our club. We now have some direction and something to look forward to next season. It was time. From a human standpoint, someone losing their job is never something to celebrate. Be happy for our club and look forward, not backwards
Nicky Styles
224 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:21:58
@June,

I think that too. Whatever about not playing for the manager, certainly should be plaing for the fans who travel up and down the country (sometimes in miserable conditions) to watch the team play.
I expect a lack of effort from mercenaries like Mr. Champions' League Rom, but Baines and Barkely are different. Theyre blues, they should be giving a hundred percent week in, week out. Afterall, they understand the club.
In fairness to Kevin Mirallas, he tends to put in a shift

Miles Jordan
225 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:22:26
Let's just pray that Pardew doesn't win the FA Cup!
Frank Wade
226 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:24:04
Everton statement to say Martinez has left club with immediate effect.
John Louis Jones
227 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:24:48
Everton have made it Official !
Dan Davies
228 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:24:58
Confirmed! At last it's official! New Era.

Eugene#53 I think this confirms there's been a power shift, Kenwright is Moshiri's puppet at best.

John Louis Jones
230 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:29:58
I don't Understand the limited resources bit?

The guy is loon. £60 Million on 3 strikers and a centre back.

More money than any other Everton manager.

Gerry Quinn
231 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:31:25
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. Roberto has been a great ambassador for the Club, conducting himself, at all times, with the utmost integrity and dignity. He secured the Club its highest ever Premier League points total, a place in the last 16 of the Europa League and appearances in both domestic cup semi-finals. He has also played a key role in the development of several young players, managing their progression to the Everton First Team and International honours.

Phil Bellis
232 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:31:30
As many have said...one down, two to go: Bullshit Bill and Suntan Bob, maybe THIS time you won't walk away unscathed - shameful lack of leadership
Nick Page
233 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:31:38
Too much sentiment on here for someone that's just made off with a wedge of cash and left the team in a right fxcking state. Get a grip. It happens. Good riddance to the stubborn bastard.

Ben Mackenzie
236 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:36:24
Ah, the official text from the club has just been received.
James Watts
238 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:38:05
Here here Nick (233). I'm sure he'll be crying tonight whilst rolling around in all the cash. People who think he's a nice guy are deluded.
Brent Stephens
239 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:38:29
Right decision. Made too late. Don't wish him Ill. That's life.
Patrick Murphy
241 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:41:33
Echo have reported that tonight's End of season awards have been postponed

Everton’s end of season awards have been postponed following the sacking of Roberto Martinez. .

Jim Lloyd
242 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:41:57
The people who should be taking the stick are Kenwright and Wood, with probably Elstone like the nodding dog for the pair of them. Martinez did his best, and it just wasn't good enough.

The Chairman is responsible for the good governance of the club and he's been guilty of the worst 15 years in Everton's History.

I just hope now that Mr Moshiri is ruthless and shoves the pair of them in the club shop or somewhere. Mind you, they'd mess that up as well.

Andrew Clare
245 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:46:56
I'll second that Jim. Kenwright is an absolute deadloss and should be removed asap.
Tahir Abdullah
247 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:50:26
The numbers don't lie; mediocre, arrogant, glib, incompetent, despicable ...and ultimately incompatible with EFC. Hopefully the damage done to the club is as superficial as RM'S philosophy.
Kunal Desai
248 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:51:01
Never like to see people sacked regardless of whether they are in football management or any other industry for that matter. People fail in everyday jobs even when they are trying but this man failed absolutely miserably and showed no desire of changing. For him to have been able to have carried on as manager up unti now is nothing short of disgraceful. He should have been booted out long ago.

The next step for this club must now be for Kenwright, Woods and Elstone all to be sent packing. Get rid of the deadwood from the top and work it way down middle management and the playing squad. Time to get rid of the wasters at this club.

Daniel A Johnson
250 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:52:37
I NEVER EVER EVER want to hear Kenwright talk about EFC ever again.

The man is a buffoon an idiot and an embarrassment who knows NOTHING about football.

The problem with EFC has been Kenwright.

I hope Moshiri marginalises the teary eyed pantomime act pronto.

WHAT A MANAGER!!!

Jay Wood
252 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:54:02
Patrick @ 241.

Postponment of awards night also confirmed on official club site, together with the announcement of RM's dismissal.

What a club!

Mark Boulle
254 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:55:04
At long, long last - perhaps there is something to look forward to in football generally and next season in particular after all.
Ian Brandes
255 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:55:19
Generally you should not get awards for being shit. MARTINEZ was hopeless, but so were most of his players.

New manager has an unenviable task after RM and his ruinous time in charge.

A big clear out is now necessary, his signings were mostly disastrous.

I am truly ffed up of hearing how Good this squad was. In truth, they became as bad as their incompetent boss.

Glass pretty ful, however, and we are entering a new era. Perhaps our day has come at last.


Daniel A Johnson
257 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:56:13
Kenwright hid behind a safe pair of hands and a good solid manager in Moyes once that protection was gone Kenwright was exposed.

Martinez should NEVER have been given the job.

THIS IS ON YOU KENWRIGHT.

I don't trust him to get it right again either.

Johnny Rainford
258 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:57:14
This has always had an inevitability about it and Kenwright is responsible. He bought into Martinez in a big way like a deluded fool. He has brought nothing but embarrassment on our club.

A fool and their club soon go separate ways.... ?

Joe Foster
259 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:58:46
He will be extremely lucky to get a top English league side again. He will probably need to drop a division or two for his next job.

More concerned about stats and style than how to win in this league.

Jay Wood
260 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:59:38
On a day scheduled to maximize publicity with the new kit launch in the morning and the awards dinner this evening, I don't think Everton has quite grasped the PR concept of 'burying a bad news story.'

What a PR shambles because the club prevaricated for too long.

Mick Quirke
261 Posted 12/05/2016 at 16:59:39
Had to be done, but that should be the end of abuse and insults for him.

He's a dignified person who conducted himself and represented Everton with class, not like the majority of Prem managers.

I wish him luck and if he comes back with another club he should get a good welcome.

Darren Dennett
262 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:01:20
Ronald De Boer telling sky sports his brother Frank is right fit for Everton. If Stam and Bergkamp are in toe I'd be very optimistic for the future. Win Win all round for me.
John Daley
263 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:02:36
James @186,

You said "we need the most arrogant manager, and players available", as though the more arrogant they are, the more chance of success they will have.

People can achieve success possessing self-confidence and belief, without crossing the line into arrogance and self-importance (pick your jaw up off the floor James. It's true). One of the biggest criticisms of the guy who has just gone is the fact he was too fucking arrogant to accept his methods weren't working or take on board any of the criticism and advice coming his way.

By the way, simply asking you a question, based on something you've stated as though it's an indisputable fact (seemingly without putting an ounce of thought into it) doesn't really constitute "picking holes in everything"....it's more akin to a futile attempt to get an elephant to shove a flannel up it's arse to stifle a fart.

And, yes....I am glad he's gone but I'm nervous as hell at the thought of who might be next.

Tony Hill
264 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:03:29
What a godawful mess we've made of this. Why on earth leave it until the day of the awards?

Never mind, job done. Kenwright and his rotten crew to kindly fuck off next.

Amit Vithlani
266 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:08:29
Only our second managerial sacking in 18 years, but well over due.

I am not saddened at all by his departure and have little sympathy for the man. One assumes he will not need to work again, should job offers fail to materialise. Yet, he has been a failure for the past 2 years, falling well short of targets.

His statement that he was not backed by the board is cringe-worthy and infuriating. The club did the most they could do. GBP 47 million spent on 3 strikers and a wage bill that increased fairly significantly whilst he was in charge.

The next decision by the board could shape the future of the club for many years to come. De Boer, Pellegrini, Mancini, Mihajlovic, Favre, maybe Mourinho. There is a solid field of available managers. Some are better than others, but one thing is for sure, they are all a step up from Martinez.

Liam Reilly
267 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:11:42
Awards postponed; GOOD.

Who rewards mediocrity anyway?

Whilst Martinez had to go and was the right decision; many of these players need to look closely at themselves.

Should be a clear out this summer.

Tony J Williams
268 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:12:44
First thing the new fella needs to do is get a fitness coach in.

I hope he brings in a good defensive team too

Brendan Fox
269 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:17:38
Hallelujah!

I appreciate some don't wish to celebrate someone getting sacked but it's not like Martinez will be having to sign on tomorrow is it? Martinez own statements show just how deluded he is, this is not something we should have to sympathize with as he is off his trolley and seriously needs to seek help.

As supporters we just need to stop it with the sanctimonious bullshit and apathy and keep on the pressure to clear out all the dead wood rotting and festering away at the heart of the club (Kenwright & Elstone).

The next managerial appointment has to be the right one but someone with a proven track record as a winner, not a one trick pony winner at that. A winner will install the right mentality and work ethic required to drag this once great club back to the top where we all believe we should be!

COYB!

Steve Brown
270 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:18:34
Moshiri runs this club now, not Widow Twanky. Thank god.
Mark Fitzgerald
271 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:18:40
Roberto lucked out when he got the Everton gig directly from suffering relegation with Wigan. I guess people tried to view the positives at the time but the reality is that he was just out of his league (pun intended).
It's no exaggeration to say that he could have gotten us relegated 'this' season. 44 points is an embarrassment and there really was no reprieve possible here.
Pray that we finally find the manager that we have yearned for since the glorious 80's.
The king is dead, long live the King!
Colin Metcalfe
272 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:19:45
Terrible timing , should of gone a long time ago .
Comes across as a decent fella but seriously got found out ,managing Everton is a massive job and he was well out depth !
Thank you for the few highlights Roberto ,the one thats sticks out in my mind was the 1-1 at the Emirates with Del Boy scoring in the last few minutes ! Our football was class that night !!
As for a successor I read in The Mirror unconfirmed reports say that Frank de Boer has been offered the position .
I clearly remember him as a player but as a coach/manager I am unsure , its a big step up from the Dutch league ......lets wait and see ... exciting times I hope
John Daley
273 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:22:24
"What a PR shambles"

It's a comical clusterfuck Jay and you can't help but think 'only at Everton'. Still, Bill will probably have someone like Biggins on the blower pretty sharpish reminding him 'there's no such thing as bad publicity'.

Ian Linn
274 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:22:54
Hurray
Daniel A Johnson
275 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:23:07
Fran De Boer for me would be massively underwhelming,

The Dutch league is like the Scots league only two teams in it.

Steve McLaren won the league there............says it all.

Andrew Laird
276 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:24:13
Haven't read all the posts so forgive me if this is repetition but, will all the coaching staff be bombed out as well? Otherwise the stench of Martinez' moribund philosophy will still be hanging around like a tramp's piss-stained socks.
Daniel A Johnson
277 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:24:42
Mourinho could be worth a punt. We could afford his wages and we have a transfer kitty.

He said all he wants in his next job is to feel loved.......I'd fucking love him to come.

John Keating
278 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:24:50
I can't work this Club out ?
They can be so great - Hillsborough tribute.
Then they can make such an arse of things - the Martinez debacle.
Without a doubt they have completely mismanaged the whole Martinez issue.
As if our Club hasn't been embarrassed enough the past 2 seasons these pricks are just continuing the downward slope.
Mr Moshiri has to sweep Kenwright and Elstone out asap and make sure the 12 million pay off man takes his useless cohorts with him
Daniel A Johnson
279 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:26:07
Klopp went to liverpool with no champs league football........what about Mourinho to us?
Steve Barr
280 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:26:17
As other's have already observed, this whole saga has been a shambles, poorly managed by an incompenent board, overseen by non other than Mr Kenwright.

I posted a few month's ago about the need for a complete overhaul at this club, much like that done by Bill Shankly at Liverpool.

Although Martinez's sacking is on the face of it great news, we'll have to hope our board, under Moshiri's direction, realizes the new manager is only the start of the clear out. All of Martinez's back room has to go along with a number of players and board members.

It will be imperative that the new manger has the strength of character and vision to rebuild and drive our club back to the top, or at least the top has to be his goal.

Anto Byrne
281 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:26:42
Moyes can go to Newcastle or Celtic. No second comings. Fresh start, fresh faces, massive clear out of all first team coaching staff including Duncan who has been culpable in letting this happen.
Hopefully they will appoint a new man before Sunday as this day has been coming for weeks.

Will sleep well in my bed tonight, might even be something on the bedroom menu LOL, oh that's right she got a headache. I cant believe I am so happy, nice bloke Roberto should get another job but not in football.
Anthony Lamb
282 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:27:38
Of course this situation could not be allowed to go on any longer an Mr Martinez's position was unsustainable. I am not sure if his so-called "coaching staff" are also being shown the door but they certainly should. That should include all those associated with first team coaching, preparations, etc including the "iconic" Duncan Ferguson, whatever minimal professional badges they may hold.
But as one or two have already mentioned these millionaire footballers also need to be taken to task for the appalling performances they have been responsible for especially of late. Do not tell me that true professionals would act in the manner that most have. If things were not right behind the scenes then to a man they should have done something about it, especially the so-called senior members. Do we accept the premise that "we do not like the manager so,we are downing tools" nonesense? Working life as most people know it would soon become impossible. No, they all share the blame for this thoroughly unprofessional mess. So those who do turn up for the last game I would suggest think long and hard about any response to any ill-judged end of term parade around the ground should the incompetents at the club go ahead with such a hair-brained action. With few exceptions they are charlatans and bear a heavy responsibility in this insulting of supporters that has gone on for too long. Would any supporter with a love and commitment to the club, often encompassing many many years, really accept any more patronising?
I have just been reminded of some of the fine players I have witnessed at the club during these last 60 odd years by reliving the first match of the 1967 season. It was a You Tube Match of the Day Everton v Man Utd a 3-1 victory for us. In the 60,000 + crowd that day I witnessed Ball, Harvey, Kendall, Young, Wilson etc in their pomp. It is worth a look to see players who simply made you proud to be a Blue. To think, their successors who will take to the pitch on Sunday, actually succeeded in making some supporters not care if their team actually lost matches! Out of loyalty to the club and its history cheer the the team on to a victory against Norwich of course, and then we should all simply go home, thankful that we may have avoided a potentially very nasty turn in the road.
Dan Nulty
283 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:27:51
If that statement is true I find it absolutely staggering he can come out with such nonsense. Not backed by the board?!?! He was backed far more than Moyes ever was. Pressure from the fans!?!?! 18 months of poor rubbish we gave you before we started asking questions. We'd be down with Villa if it wasn't for Lukaku's goals. Whose fault would that be? Obviously not yours Roberto.

I've finally had the wool pulled form my eyes, his is a deluded sociopath. I was actually feeling quite sorry for him because he must have been feeling sick walking into work each day for the last few months knowing he'd lost the dressing room and no one was actually listening to him.

Good riddance. Next appointment will show the ambition of the board. Or lack of it.
Paul Hughes
284 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:28:37
Martinez's leaving statement encapsulates why he has been sacked. He genuinely thinks he has been hard done by, and that his time has been a success, despite obvious evidence to the contrary.
He also genuinely thought: that his 'possession is everything' philosophy was correct; that Tom Cleverley was a world-class signing; that Kone was a 20 goal a season striker; that Alcaraz could defend; that Niasse could play football; that Eto'o was rubbish; and that Howard was still a Premier-class goalie.
He is in his own, private, mad world.
Matt Garen
285 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:28:38
Andrew 276 in any other club there would be absolutely zero chance of any backroom staff remaining. This of course isn't any other club is it.
Farrell Iveagh
286 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:28:52
275 Daniel spot on
Oliver Molloy
287 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:31:06
Martinez, will not receive anything like £12 million.
The club will have protected itself for this type of scenario.
There will be a clause in there somewhere as is normal.
Chris Corn
288 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:35:43
To be fair, he was never going to get sacked after the derby with a semi final on the horizon. You just don't prepare for your biggest game of the season like that. Leicester really should have been the final nail but he's lasted one more game and the hierarchy have recognised like everyone else that he should not be in charge for tonight's awards and the final game.

One thing has been shown today is where the power lies and I think that question has been answered. As for getting rid of Bill, then that ain't happening any time soon as he is still a significant shareholder.

What everyone asked for has happened, so let's hope the next decisions made are as decisive.

Tony Rutherford
289 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:38:47
James 238. How do you know he's not a nice guy? Happy for you to slaughter him for him being an inept manager who lost the respect of his team, but we got what we wanted. Let's not kick a fella when he is down!
Pete Fishwick
290 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:38:56
My first post on here - although I read it often - Its such a relief to know that RM has gone - to me this would have continued into the next season - Most of these players are good enough, they clearly need the right direction and togetherness - but we needed a change or we were a villa in the making .

Who ever comes in the board needs to ensure its not a bank draining 5 year contract - 4 m a year with 3 years left - who on eart set that up ?? I don't know how it all works but that was a major deal for a manager who plunged Wigan out the PL...

Anyway - onwards and upwards - a fresh start

COYB and lets cheer for 3 fecking points on Sunday the team had better turn up...

Jay Wood
291 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:40:17
As is usual in these situations, collectively or one by one, the coaching staff will be let go and the new manager will bring in his own support staff.

Relax on that front, fellahs.

Gordon Crawford
292 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:42:25
Ronald De Bore says his brother is interested. Everything is pointing at Frank.
Gavin Johnson
293 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:43:13
It's sad that it had to end like this after the highs of the 1st season but Roberto had to go. This should have been sorted after the semi final.

I wish him all the best for the future. Looking at his tenure in retrospect there were some undoubted high points and they became largely out-shadowed by many lows over the last 2 seasons. When we were good, we were excellent and the players and fans bought into his innate self belief. The bad patch would undoubtedly come and when it did he was found wanting. His attributes that helped guide us to 5th place became his weaknesses. The superlatives and positivity in the face of the growing number of defeats started to grate and he slowly became a parody of himself.

If he goes to manage in Spain I think he'll be better equipped to succeed in La Liga, and I really hope he does. There was nothing wrong with Roberto's vision to aim for the champions league. He just wasn't a good enough manager to pull it off.

In the scheme of things I still think Mike Walker was worse because for all his faults Martinez did succeed in his 1st season and did relatively well in the cups. I do think his inflexibility and his failure to deviate and get the most out of the players at his disposal make him the most frustrating manager ever to step foot in Goodison IMO.

Anthony Newell
294 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:44:30
A nice, well meaning man but epitomised the phrase 'verbal diarrhoea' at every turn
Max Levy
295 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:45:41
Disingenuous of the club to say they "regret" sacking him because nobody else does. Or maybe Mr Moshiri regrets having to pay him the compensation, which I can totally sympathise with.
Peter Jansson
296 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:50:26
How can people say De Boer is unproven??? He has won the league 4 times in a row!!! A little different compared to the recent clown.
Max Levy
297 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:50:26
And please stop telling us what a nice man he is. So is the Dalai Lama but he's not in the frame for the manager's job. Actually you can get 5000-1 on that so may be worth a punt.
Colin Glassar
298 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:50:57
Sounds like the Awards Dinner thingy has been cancelled as well. Not surprised after that hefty compo deal. Sausage rolls and warm tea it is then tomorrow at FF.
Ian Brandes
299 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:52:49
I am with James at 238. Everything points to him not being a nice guy. Weak, inept, vindictive, clueless,and unable to take criticism.


Baines humiliated, Garbutt stuck out on loan for telling the truth inadvertantly, Sylvin Distin out in the cold, not to mention Samuel Eto'o who clashed with him and became the famous divisive influence in the dressing room.

As for kicking him when he is down, this clown should find his next managerial job in he Evo-stik league. Just about his level!

Thank God, Moshiri brought this farce to an end, apparently In the face of resistance.

Rejoice, this Kenwright era is over, and not before time. He will soon be Hon. President, a position without any power at all

Mick Davies
300 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:54:21
A lot of people are posting here about getting rid of all these players, but most of them were responsible for thrashing Arsenal and doing the double over Utd only 3 years ago. The players have been destroyed by alien coaching methods and bizarre training routines which mean they can't run around for more than an hour, and have to pass the ball 1,000 times before it goes forward. Just imagine if we were told to write our posts in Mandarin?

I really believe that a decent manager will get a lot more out of them without baffling them with BS.
As for his backroom staff: we'll never know if they were any good or not, as he didn't consult them at all.
Clive Rogers
301 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:56:01
If Kenwright had an ounce of decency he would resign. But he hasn't so we are stuck with him for a while longer.
Bill Gall
302 Posted 12/05/2016 at 17:58:14
Although I feel sorry that the manager has lost his job, as in his own mind he tried hard enough to prove he was competent as a premier manager. The problem was he was not competent enough to become a successful premier manager due to his reluctance to see that his philosophy was one dimensional and refused to change.

The major problem at club level, was he had a chairman with blinkers on, who refused to admit he made a mistake in hiring him, and believed everything that Martinez told him and ignored what was going on on the pitch in plain view.

A vast majority of the supporters myself included were aware of the limitations that Martinez's philosophy style showed and believed that his dismissal was long overdue. That his firing took so long raises the Question of, was B.K. finally admitting he made the mistake in hiring him without due diligence ? or is Mr Moshiri finally saying enough is enough and as majority shareholder I am protecting my investment and having this man removed.?

Barry Jones
303 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:00:20
Evertonions are caring people. So many posters have said how they feel sad for Martinez and that is very considerate of them, but I do believe that the sympathies are misplaced. The fans are the ones who have suffered, slowly and agonizingly over the last few years. It was like being a caregiver to an aged and sick person, begging for someone to apply euthanasia so that you could go on living a normal life again.

In his death throes, Martinez delusions are more evident than ever and his parting shots have once again placed the blame elsewhere, especially with the fans (also lack of time and funding). Its time to move on now. Lets give the boys a rousing reception on Sunday and let them know we still believe.

Kieran Kinsella
304 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:03:09
Villa got relegated and let a couple of hundred fairly low paid staff go. Had RM stayed we could have been in a similar situation. Not to mention loss of income for businesses in and around GP if we were no longer in the prem. So the whole "nice guy" debate is irrelevant. There's a lot at stake for a lot of people here beyond RM and Moshiri. He's not going to go hungry with his golden handshake check.
Eugene Ruane
307 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:08:42
Frank (183) - Eugene, maybe 'arrogant' was the wrong word I chose to describe Mourinho. Maybe nasty would have been better. How did he get on this season? He couldn't motivate the champions to work for him"

How did he get on this season?

I'll answer that - he got on shit.

Now your go, how has he got on for the majority of his seasons as a manager?

So what does this all prove?

It proves what I said before we signed Martinez and what I'll say before we sign the next feller.

Basically no one knows anything. we don't get a say in the new feller, whoever gets the nod will have my support until such a time as (bad) results change my mind.

Mourinho wins titles, CL = 'Genius!'

Mourinho can't get a win at Chelsea despite the club spending gazillions = 'Nob-head!'

Ranieri's Greece are beaten at home by The Faroes = 'ilithios!' (Greek for nob-head).

Ranieri's Leicester win PL = 'Genius!'

It's not about arrogance or nice, it's about someone who can get the players to buy into his philosophy and for that philosophy to have some merit.

The latter part of that can be discussed, but who the fuck knows about what/who the players will or won't buy into?

Fergie terrified Utd and they won titles, Roy Keane terrified Sunderland and they lost every week and fucked him off (repeat - no one knows anything)

Martinez after one season seemed to have cracked it, players looked motivated, results were good.

2 years later, players (obviously) aren't playing to save their manager and look weak, slow, hopeless.

Anyone spouting "yeah but he done this/that" regarding who they like or don't like, is pissing in the wind.

All we can do is hope.

Andy Mack
308 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:18:41
How he survived after this last derby game, I have no idea. Thanks for the first season Robby, but the rest, the prophecy pretty much came true, we were Wigan in disguise.

Looking forward to a massive clearout of backroomers and hangers on with a new guy and a new attitude.

Gotta be better times ahead, though.

Any truth in the rumour that Bainesy is currently up a ladder with a tin of blue paint covering up the mural?

Martin Nicholls
309 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:20:40
James#102 - sorry mate, just got carried away in the euphoria! In reality maybe we all had some doubts - some voiced them as nightmares! Am having a few celebratory drinks at mo - you do the same. Cheers and COYB
Ray Griffin
310 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:22:36
Sounds like De Boer was spoken to after the Leicester game when Bill realised that he'd be slaughtered at Goodison next Sunday & Moshri, hopefully, threw his 49% vote in & pressed/pushed for the change.

Totally bland statement from the club but that's fairly normal. What's obvious is that someone in power is monitoring the fan's views closely at last.

The most significant thing I've seen on this site is the sheer amount of fans who felt exactly the same as me (45 years a supporter) is that they have never felt so frustrated & apathetic about an Everton team as this one under Martinez. It was so easy to see what was wrong with the way the team was playing and what should be done to fix it but our former manager believed his way was the only way despite the glaringly obvious events unfolding in front of him.

Onwards & upwards - new era

Brian Williams
311 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:22:56
It's fair to say we've got what we want (95% at least anyway) and it's probably a good time to drop the vitriol towards Martinez. He's now part of our history and I'm certainly looking forward to what I hope is a bright new future with a new manager, a new owner, and renewed hope.
Really looking forward to Sunday now. Looking forward to next season now too.
Colin Hughes
312 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:25:27
Martinez was one of the very few Everton managers not to win a derby match in his tenure .
Mike Walker never won one but was only in charge for one compared to Martinez's six.
I think Billy Bingham was the only other to fail to beat them across the park.
David Israel
313 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:26:44
Ryan Rosenberg #145, I'm with you. I don't understand all the hype about Frank de Boer ("Frank the Farmer" in Dutch, by the way ;-) ). He may have won four league titles in Holland, but that's only Holland, with all due respect.

As for your preferences, I wouldn't want Benitez, for obvious reasons, and I don't think they'll go for him, for those very same reasons. Favre looks the deal, even though he may be out of a job now. The Portuguese guy out in Monaco looks good, too (I forget his name).

Steve Woods
314 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:28:41
Hallefuckinlujah and good riddance!! That has cheered me right up with regards to the club. Fingers crossed now that the Moshiri influence will be positive from here on in.
David Israel
315 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:31:18
Colin #312 who was in charge when Andy King scored that famous goal? Gordon Lee?
John Louis Jones
316 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:35:03
Who ever comes in has a massive massive rebuild.
5 first teamers are out of contract
Howard is gone.
Stones,Rom and Mirallis probably going.
Jags,Baines,Barry and Kone are all the wrong side of 33.

that's 12 players.
then you have tthe fringe players that are not good enough Ovideo, kone, Niasse Cleverly.

you are talking about building a whole new team.

Christopher Dover
317 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:35:32
Martinez is a nice guy?
He has kept the same formation, played slow tippy tappy football, not helped develop the likes of Barkley, cheesed off the likes of Lukaku and possibly Stones so they want a move asap.

As a season ticket holder taken the excitement, pleasure and hope from our home games.

If this is the behaviour of a nice man then please do not employ another, he has ignored the results, blamed any and everything except himself and has finally been moved out with whatever payment that would set most of us up for life.

Happy day and I can now look forward to next season.

Matthew Salem
318 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:35:51
What a relief. It's finally over. Thank you Roberto for an amazing first season. Best of luck to you.
Dave Ganley
319 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:37:34
Ding dong the fuckwits gone....12 months too late but gone nonetheless.....take Kenwright and Elstone with you too
Paul Tran
320 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:37:42
Good first season. Forgot what made his first season good and turned a solid top six team of chokers into an unfit mess.

I suspect he thought he would be bringing in more players after that 5th place and Bill knocked him back. That was the time to invest and keep up the momentum - not very good at that, are we?

My memories of him will be the odd attractive performance, surrounded by a lack of fitness and discipline, wilful ignorance of all the basics (the kind used by his beloved Barca), an inability to get his message across to the players and a strange propensity for buying players and immediately giving them months to get fit. Above all the huge distance between what he said he wanted and what he delivered.

I hope the next gamble gets the players fit and organised, then lets the skill shine through. I hope he's positive and goes for wins, while telling if like it is, good or bad.

It'll be a gamble, whoever he is!

Charles Brewer
321 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:38:42
This is, in many ways, a sad day. Martinez' first season was just what we'd all hoped for, a positive manager, an attacking team, the prospect of some really interesting signings and loans (albeit with a few weird purchases).

It looked as though Everton had gone through a long period of stabilization under David Moyes. Instead of a regularly gut-wrenching April where relegation was more than just a vague possibility and we all wanted nice "boring mid table end of season rubbish", Everton was now "best of the rest". And we now had a confident, statistics-driven manager whose not-exactly-stellar previous experience at Swansea and Wigan would be able to bloom with a proper historically huge club. And so it looked for the first year (with a bit of a fade at the end).

But like so many strikers who burst onto the scene (usually playing for ManUtd) he was rumbled and that his "philosophy" was far too monochrome, and failed to do the basics. I'm surprised he didn't reason that Johann Cruyff and Roy Vernon smoked like chimneys and got our midfield on 20 Capstan Full Strength a day.

If his analytical approach had been coupled with good luck and an inspiring leader on the pitch, it might have been very different, but sadly it appears that his temperament was too rigid, and his team motivation far from sufficient.

I really wish he'd been all we had hoped for, he would have been a splendid example to English football ...

But he wasn't.

I'm also rather proud to see that even those cheering his departure and critical of his many faults are not crowing about the outcome.

Colin Hughes
323 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:41:14
David #315, Gordon Lee was in charge for the Andy King derby, one of two victories he managed over Liverpool, 1981 cup tie being the other.
Colin Glassar
324 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:41:55
It might not be popular but I liked Roberto and I think he really liked Everton. I honestly believe he really wanted to bring success to the club but he just wasn't anywhere good enough.

He never belittled us, on the contrary his hype was sometimes nauseating, he never put a ceiling on us or hinted we should be content with just being in the prem, or getting to 40 points etc.....

I supported him through his first two and a half seasons in face of the evidence hoping he would change his ways but his stubbornness won through and now he's finished.

I acknowledge the fact that Phil, Darren, Jay, Joe, Andy and all the rest of you guys were right and I was wrong but that doesn't mean I will now call him everything under the sun. He has gone and we move on.

Apologies if I went OTT, on occasion, in his defence but I will now support the next manager in the hope that he is much, much better as all we want to see is our club being back at the top end of the table.

Whoever the new manager is, give him a chance. This club needs a massive injection of support and confidence and it won't be easy. We have several good young players who need our support and under new management will surely blossom and realise their full potential.

Eddie Dunn
326 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:44:49
I have to comment for posterity. Thank fucking God they bit the bullet and did it before he would have half the crowd on his back.
He certainly was a man who made poor judgements on players, tactics and the timing of his substitutions. He made some strange transfers, but he did encourage some of our young players.
He played lots of people out of position, and not out of necessity.
He was control freak, and a bullshitter extraordinaire.

I won't miss his verbo-diarrhea .

I'm going to get pissed.

John Louis Jones
327 Posted 12/05/2016 at 18:57:10
Frank de Boer : http://outsideoftheboot.com/2015/07/05/tactical-philosophy-frank-de-boer/

good read.

Paul Thompson
329 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:06:44
Like others the overwhelming feeling is one of relief. I've had the enthusiasm for the team utterly drained from me. I do wish RM well. Whether he is a nice man or not, I think he did get the club and was a good ambassador. But that is secondary to what goes on the pitch and there he proved to be second rate. I assume that his staff will depart with him, which is good because I genuinely think they are poor and brought little to the table.
Scott Robinson
330 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:08:38
Here here Colin @ 324. Some of the comments on this site about Roberto have been disgraceful. He tried, he failed, he moves in... He deserves dignity in his fall from grace. All this talk about him being the worst manager in Everton's history is a load of emotionally charged bullsh$t.
Alan Bodell
331 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:22:31
Stop feeling sorry for this guy, he has no blue blood running through him like we do and he's set up for if not life then more than most of us can dream of.
That endless garbage he spouted after most games this season will repulse me for a long time.
Darren Hind
332 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:22:49
I don't feel in a celebratory mood, I was never really convinced, but I would be far happier if I'd been wrong and those who thought he was the real deal were proven right.

To be honest, I look at him at the moment and I feel total sadness. He is a shadow of the man who breezed in with a confidence which seemed to just sweep the fan base off its feet. Unfortunately despite his qualities, the man (as a manager) was deeply flawed.

I disliked the way people claimed he had done things he hadnt, I disliked the speed at which people where ready to scream about OTT negativity every time he was fairly (IMO) criticised . .and I really disliked being called a hater.

But I'm filled with a sadness tonight. You would need to have a screw loose to want an Everton manager to fail because it means we are back to square one and his three years have been wasted.

I'm raising a glass to Roberto. has driven me to distraction at times, but at no time in the past three years did I ever doubt his passion for our club.

At the end of the day his only real "crime" was to come up short.

Good Luck Robbie lad.

Kunal Desai
334 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:24:44
'I am disappointed by the decision. I feel with more backing from the board I could have turned things around. I have worked with limited resources for 3 years as well as incredible pressure from the fans. Me and my staff have achieved great things here, and our time has been a success, I wish the club all the best' Delusional fool at his best....one final final time Fuck off Martinez!
Joe Clitherow
335 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:25:09
Colin 324

That is a good post and I don't want to dwell on "Martinez: the EFC Wilderness Years" either. I do have a nagging feeling though that we played this exciting attractive football will become a bit of a legend but it's bollocks. I watched almost every minute of RM most if it live, and I have never been so bored watching my team.

Like all of us you're an Evertonian and you want to hope, you just have to be careful where the hope and trust is placed. I think he came along at a time when a lot of us wanted to hope we could push on. Thing is, he had a great platform for a good manager, and the club now looks a shambles, so quite a rebuild on the cards. I don't want to go on about him really, but I can't forgive the guy or the people who kept him on for the mess he took us to.

If his statement is genuine, then what a small minded, deluded, bitter individual he is. Now we will see the stories of what has really gone on come out.

David Israel
336 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:25:13
Colin # 323, thank you very much. That was my recollection! Mind you, I had forgotten about the '81 Cup tie. Getting on!
Colin Glassar
337 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:26:16
Great post Darren.
James Byrne
338 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:28:40
What is the general feeling of most TW's on where it started to go wrong for Martinez?

I guess everyone will have a different opinion on timing etc; he had a great 1st season. His second season was the situation on fitness levels and his poor preseason fiasco.

I remember too well that horrible night away at Newcastle when the defense was all over the place. Falling out with payers like Eto and Distin.

The past few months and specifically when the players came back from internationals, we had the likes of Lukaku making noises he wanted to be playing CL footy.

What about his ridiculous press statements and the amount of bollox he would speak. What was he on!

It would be great now he's departed to hear other people's assessment on when the Martinez roadshow started to fall apart?

Garry Corgan
339 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:29:05
Where is the original post of Martinez statement? If he's said that I'd be very disappointed - mainly at his lack of decorum. The words don't sound very Martinez-like to me.
Brent Stephens
340 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:30:40
Darren #332, we don't always see eye to eye but that for me is the best post by far in what must be several hundred posts today. Expresses my sentiments completely.
Anto Byrne
341 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:31:22
We did play some nice football and scored a heap of goals.

So what went wrong? Was it a players' revolt?

Paul Smith
342 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:31:29
Been obsessing and constantly glued to this site for months waiting for this announcement.

I was at the 3 nil loss at Saints - never made a change, just stood there arms folded. I wasn't sure whether he was brave or stupid...probably both!

Anyway it's all academic now; it seems like we have all forgotten about the Kenwright Out fly pasts, in the clamour to get rid of Martinez.

Brian Denton
343 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:32:34
Anthony (282) you didn't see Howard Kendall in that 3-1 win over Man U first game of 1967-68 season. He didn't join us till later that season.

I remember that game well, with my dad just behind 'the Cage' (funny how nobody seems to mention the Cage, unlike the Boys Pen).

Jesus, I feel old. Still, another Blue Dawn approaching.....

Andy Walker
344 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:34:57
Well said Colin, big respect. I too think we need to look forward now, he's gone and that's it. I wish him all the best for the future. I'm sure he wanted the best for us but he wasn't up to the job.

The next appointment is critical, but I think it will be the Mosh's call and I also think today he showed he's serious. Whoever comes in needs to be a big step up from RM.

It will be interesting to see how we play on Sunday.

Rick Tarleton
345 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:36:23
Martinez's "niceness" is an irrelevance. he couldn't get the players to buy into his philosophy. I hope De Boer and Stam come and can instill a coherent vision on the players.
My main worry is whether Moshiri can do the same for the business of Everton F.C.. A new ground is an absolute must, marketing must improve and we must begin to sound and look like a top six team.
The manager must be part of a cohesive vision of the whole club outlook.
Nick Page
346 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:36:33
James, that's an easy one. Crystal Pulis home April 2014. By then the Moyes effect was on the wane. Must say me arl fella called this whole debacle from day 1. Been there since the late 50's knows his stuff. Cheers dad! Happy day
Gordon Crawford
347 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:37:51
I wish him all the best too. He tried his best to succeed, but sadly his best wasn't good enough. I do hope though, that when he comes back sometime, he will be treated with dignity.
He is now our past. Let's look forward to a wonderful future.

All the best Roberto.

Jim Lloyd
348 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:39:02
Well said Darren, spoken like a proper Blue. well said indeed.
Shaun Murphy
349 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:40:09
Well done, Mr Moshiri and thank you. COYB. Let's get behind the club now.

Great news the back room staff have gone as well. Hopefully, Frank de Boer will come and bring some quality staff to improve are shattered young players.

I'd still sell Stones I just don't rate him as a centre half, let De Boer get his own defenders in in my opinion anyway. Nil satis nisi optimum.
John Davies
350 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:41:03
Good news. Kenwright next out the door I trust?
Ged Simpson
351 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:43:07
Darren...I agree with your post too. Nobody wants anyone to fail at EFC and our views and comments in this time have all been heart felt whatever we said. I raise a glass to him too.

I don't think he was ever a con man, just not as confident as he tried to appear. As for us... ever onwards. The summer could be fun.
Gavin Johnson
352 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:44:04
A very good post Darren. We've disagreed a few times, nearly always over Martinez. But I'd say that's a very fair summing up of his tenure.
Colin Glassar
353 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:49:29
James Byrne, that question would merit a thread of its own - "When and where did it all start to go wrong?". I think it started with the Mirallas pen against WBA. I can still see the look on the players faces and he didn't do anything about it. The malaise, IMO, started there.
Paz Mistry
354 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:49:45
Suddenly, there is hope again. A new manager, some good money to spend this summer, a lot of deadwood coming off the books. It's gonna be a very interesting summer, one that we usually hope for, but that we will actually get this year..

Please don't ruin this by appointing Eddie Howe, or some other no name...

Jack Convery
355 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:49:55
At Last ! The News we've all been waiting for. Now we all await the news of who will be the new manager.

Moshire is obviously calling the shots now - when Woods walked out of the Derby to make his report it was really all over.

Moshiri is a business man first and foremost and as such he will want the best his money can buy, obviously. Therefore to protect his investment and not end up like Ashley at Newcastle, I am expecting a WOW pick as our new manager. An also ran / journeyman is not an option when it comes to being sucessful in the PL. Neither is someone who sees EFC as a stepping stone to something bigger or a place to have his ego massaged.

For me this is EFCs Klopp moment - get it wrong and we will be Villa in disguise next season.

PS: Roberto get a defensive coach and a fitness coach at your next club and learn to be humble when required. Remember - You can't fool all the people all of the time.

David Israel
356 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:50:17
I have followed Everton since the early '60s, the days of Harry Catterick and the School of Science (I still have dreams of great games, featuring Alex Young, mind you).

While I am always sad to see a manager being sacked - and we don't too much of that, fortunately - there was only one occasion when Everton sacked their manager that I had a feeling of "what might have been", and that was when Gordon Lee was let go. Lee did come close, even though his preferred style of play was not very inspiring - but that's beside the point, here.

And today, sad though I may be, I don't have that feeling of "what might have been".

I'm sure you all get my point.

Christopher Dover
357 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:51:22
Lost respect for Martinez with his comments , not backed by board, suppose £13.5 million does not count.
Fans creating pressure.
He said his time was a success? If he he had stayed next season just think how successful he would have been taking us to the championship.

So glad he's gone with his staff ,now can move on and he can take up offers from division one if he is lucky.

James Byrne
358 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:51:25
Darren #332........I respect your post but I don't agree with you at all.

Martinez is and has been for a long time, a football fraud. He's made a laughing stock of the club and most importantly the fans who spend a fortune following and supporting the team.

How can anyone defend his ridiculous press statements and his synopsis of games when we were utter shite.

He's destroyed the confidence and belief of our core team and I'm not even certain that damage will ever be repaired. I honestly think that a lot of Evertonians have lost sight of what this team could produce before he arrived. The Coleman, Baines and Pienaar connection - destroyed under Martinez.

The ability to defend against the best of the rest; the free kicks and pens by Bianes, all destroyed by this evil little man.

He's had 3 seasons but has set us back almost 10. Good riddance to him and his crap footballing ideas.

Jim Lloyd
359 Posted 12/05/2016 at 19:54:38
David, I had that feeling when Johnny Carey was sacked. Totally agree with your last sentiment.
Barry Jones
360 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:03:04
David #356. I first went to Goodison back in the days of Alex young too. I remember being awe struck at the time. I concur with your last line. I think it would have been downhill sadly. So exciting times ahead....I hope. We do have a talented group of players, lets see what a talented coach can do with them. First step is giving them some confidence again.
Brent Stephens
361 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:04:29
James #358. I'm glad Martinez has gone. He almost destroyed us as a club. But I don't think he was a football fraud, as you say (to me, that implies he was being deliberate and calculating in that fraud). Instead, I think he is a flawed personality (not able, for example, to come to terms with evidence in front of him; rigid in his behaviour) and that I have some sympathy with.
Ian McDowell
362 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:09:56
Darren Hind 332 great post. Thats exactly how I feel. When a manager fails I feel its a collective responsibility of the board, manager, coaches, scouts even fans.

I still think back to after the first season when we finished 5th and Roberto said we needed 7 new players. Not signing them was his downfall. Howard, Distin, Osman, Pienaar and Hibbert all had a dramatic downturn in form after that partly due there advancing years. They needed replacing.
Frank Crewe
363 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:10:15
James 358

Pienaar destroyed the Pienaar/Baines connection when he signed for Spurs. Not to mention neither of them are getting any younger.

Although taking away penalty duties from Baines and giving them to Lukaku just to boost his goals tally was a really dumb move and cost us wins and points.

Stephen Brown
364 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:11:54
Disappointed it didn't work out especially after first season.
Disappointed by his press release.
Disappointed by the players actions of last few weeks/months.

Delighted we can now move on but I think this next appointment in the history of the club get it right glory could beckon get it wrong and we could be The next Leeds! Exciting but nervous times ahead!

Kieran Kinsella
365 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:15:05
Why are we still talking about this guy? He's gone. I hope this doesn't evolve into a long running saga like all those "what might have been" posts about McFadden that dragged on for about a year after he left.
Anthony Lamb
366 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:16:15
Brian (343), thanks for reminding me of the passing years but I think you are mistaken about Howard K. He certainly was playing in that game as I feel he had joined us late on in the previous season. I will check my records again and also have a good excuse to look at the recording again but I am pretty certain that my eyes were not deceiving me! If your records do not confirm it then I do hope you will come and visit me in the "Home for Evertonians who insist on seeing Howard Kendall when he is not there"! But on this occasion he certainly was. Whichever way, I do agree that we are both getting on a bit now. All the best and here's to a better future with perhaps a team that could contain players with some of the qualities of those fine players of the past and something of the commitment to the club and its supporters.
Stephen Brown
368 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:18:19
Frank 363 - and a place in the cup final!
Anthony Jones
369 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:23:07
I did feel bad for him after the abuse started, but now I only feel relief. Today is a phenomenal moment in the history of our club.
David Israel
371 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:26:59
Jimmy # 359, I wasn't going to matches yet when Johnny Carey was sacked by John Moores - in a taxi, if I remember well. But I see what you mean. Like I said, that was my feeling when it happened to Gordon Lee - although not in a taxi, by all accounts! ;-)
Tom Bowers
372 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:28:48
The only problem is that it should have happened months ago and then perhaps some of the season could have been saved.
As it was they went from bad to worse.
All the faults have been hit on the head here so no more to be said about Mr. Nice Guy.
We can now but hope his successor does the job we all hope for.
Martin O'Sullivan
373 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:33:08
I just hope the board get this next manager right. and the thought of two strikers linking that massive whole between midfield we've had for two years is exciting too. Also needs to be a big name to get top players into a club in no European competitions. So that just leaves maurinho for me!! But I'm sure all these chats have been had already between moshiri and potential suitors? COYB
Frank Thomas
374 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:33:14
Paul (320) I though Lukaku was actually bought after we finished 5th. Before that he was on loan. What Martinez failed to do was to get more players on loan to evaluate them and also we had to return Deulofeu which had a big effect on our attack.

I think Colin and Ryan were correct Martinez was a nice guy who was impressed with our club and loved it, he really did want the same things and the best things for Everton but luck and his inability to adapt his tactics cost him his best ever job.
He was not the first it cost Moyes his job at Man Utd. We have had managers in the past who have regarded it as a job or a stepping stone.

James (338) IMO it went started to go wrong from the Arsenal game (near end of the 1st season) when he swopped the team to fool Wenger after that success he did it needlessly all the time.

Christy Ring
375 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:48:49
I'm delighted he's gone at last, his game didn't work in the Premiership. It seems Moshiri had the final say, so hopefully he'll go one step further, and ditch Kenwright, whose arrogance for persisting with Bob, and showing nothing but contempt to us fans, and sack Elstone also and start afresh.
Koeman would be my choice (no Lee), but De Boer has an impressive backroom team.
Jon Cox
376 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:53:07
The End....

The start....

Paul Williams
377 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:54:33
Long overdue. I’ve been waiting hourly for this for some months. If it had happened after the Liverpool game we would be in the FA cup final IMO. Martinez has given his all. Right vision, wrong strategy. He bought into the club and what we are about. Let’s remember him for his first season when he made us believe more than anyone since Kendall. Good luck Bobby in whatever you choose to do next. But we need someone with the ability to take the dream forward.

Let’s get in the right manager who can keep our key players and build this summer. Someone who can be trusted with £100m+ and we need a name. We need someone with the gravitas to represent this club globally. We need headlines and we need to be at least 2nd last on MOTD because I’m fed up of recording this and watching it on a Sunday.

Top of my list - Mourinho. I think this is more realistic than people think. Where else if he wants to manage in the Prem?, Man U aside. What other position offers such potential for improvement and a club that can reach the highest level. Let’s do it. Moshiri, make it happen!!

Dave Brierley
378 Posted 12/05/2016 at 20:54:46
Colin 324. I feel much like you.

He was a decent guy but his ideas were wrong for us and would struggle to work for any Premier League Club who didn't have the fabulously talented individuals essential to the execution of his master (somewhat academic) plan.

I've always admired people with total self-belief but when the plan is obviously failing and they keep on doing the same thing over and over, well we saw what happened.

I wish him well but like most above, I'm so relieved he's no longer with us.

Anthony Jones
379 Posted 12/05/2016 at 21:03:10
3 million a year. 3 years left on his contract. He must have been given some compensation package.

His contract should have featured an early termination clause based on results.

Classy old Everton.

Tony McNulty
380 Posted 12/05/2016 at 21:09:23
Glad this has finally happened. RM was a dead man walking.

At least the close season could be interesting. A new (hopefully big name manager - I would love Mourinho) could:

- help retain some of the current squad who are worth retaining
- promise players that they can start playing to their strengths instead of following a silly unworkable blueprint which doesn't suit their game (the case of Barkley springs to mind)
- have quite a bit of cash to spend
- engender some excitement rather than the despair we have had for quite a while now.

Derek Williams
381 Posted 12/05/2016 at 21:19:28
Eugene (86). You can add Sir Alf Ramsey to that list of so called "arrogant" managers.

"England WILL win the World Cup". He wasn't far wrong.

You're right. We need a winner, I don't care how feckin' arrogant other clubs' supporters think he is.

Dave Older
382 Posted 12/05/2016 at 21:31:19
I am as relieved for him as I am for all us fans. The whole situation was becoming a bit of a joke. Yes, he has made a mess of things but I really didn't want to see him given a load of grief on Sunday. He tried his best and in the end it just didn't work out.

Mr Martinez frustrated the hell out of me most of the time and his pre-match and post-match comments drove me nuts. I am now just relieved that it is all over for everyone and we can look forward to next season with optimism and excitement.

Thanks for your efforts Roberto, you were just out of your depth and I wish you well for the future. Maybe a job in La Liga or the Championship would suit you? I will always remember when we smashed Arsenal that time at Goodison. It's a shame things didn't progress from year one.

Adios, Bobby M. NSNO.

Gary Preston
383 Posted 12/05/2016 at 21:33:09
Funny people saying "He was a nice guy & wish him well" – he was a conman who treated Baines like shit, was stubborn as a mule. Good riddance, dickhead!!
Paul Tran
385 Posted 12/05/2016 at 21:39:24
Frank, I'm aware that Lukaku was signed after we finished 5th. You couldn't call that an addition, could you? That summer, I was expecting more than Lukaku on a permanent deal and the 'promising' Besic. I'd love to know whether that was Martinez's arrogance or Kenwright's padlock on the kitty.

Either way the 'lack of support from the board' had nothing to do with the appalling fitness record, the unbalanced team, or the players who were bought then told they'd need 'months' to get up to speed.

The next guy will have the same problem of shifting past-it players and replacing them with quality.

I find it hard to judge most of the players at the moment, as they all look lost and confused. Let's see what the new man could do with them. May be they'll feel like new signings?

Brian Denton
386 Posted 12/05/2016 at 21:44:09
Anthony (366) - hold my hand up on that one, can only claim a mixture of senility and the effect of today's dramatic events on my head. I obviously don't know my 'istory and will go and sit in the dunces corner.

Oh the shame....

John Graham
387 Posted 12/05/2016 at 21:48:16
Well scouts had to go as can't name one player that they have picked who has done well.
Now if we are serious about moving forward we HAVE to get the right man in.
Not someone who seems nice or has a nice way to play football.
WE NEED
A WINNER
Who will play football to frighten the opposition.never give up never say die, press from start to end. Create chances, fitness levels need to be high, skill of passing Iopponents half. Strong defence. Bring youngsters through
Is there anybody out there.
Koemans, De Boer, a German lunatic, someone to make us proud.
Not bothered if we win anything, just want to compete, give anyone a game, give the fans something to chant for.
Please
Please
Make the right decision
Alastair Donaldson
388 Posted 12/05/2016 at 21:54:14
Not felt this good since Archie Gemmill scored in 1978...sorry wrong film.

Let's hope the next manager can restore the kind of optimism and enjoyment we had (briefly) 3 years ago, but does also build something for the longer term...a belief in winning, yes nice if we can win with the style we've seen in previous times, but modern football is about winning. There's not much point in making up the numbers.

I'd like to see a foreign coach, flexible in approach, understands and nurtures a pacy, pressing game (you can have the ball for 10 seconds then we have it back), not afraid to take chances, bring through youth and maintain a sense of reality! Ideally some of the old-boys who know what they're doing in his staff. Not much to ask for eh.

We have a glorious history, but we need to build and sustain a glorious future, if we really do have serious investment.

Here's hoping for NSNO.

John Raftery
389 Posted 12/05/2016 at 21:56:41
Anthony 366 No need to check your records. Howard Kendal, signed for us on the eve of the FA Cup tie against Liverpool in March 1967 and most certainly played in the opening game of the 1967/68 season versus Manchester United.
Iakovos Iasonidis
390 Posted 12/05/2016 at 21:56:50
At last...Now let's make a statement!
David Cromwell
391 Posted 12/05/2016 at 22:02:03
Great article. Almost ToffeeWeb quality!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/12/Roberto-Martinez-wanted-a-revolution-at-Everton-instead-he-presi/

Max Murphy
392 Posted 12/05/2016 at 22:05:18
Frank de Boer is "A Fork Bender"
Clive Rogers
394 Posted 12/05/2016 at 22:10:58
We are halfway there.
KENWRIGHT OUT.
Shane Corcoran
395 Posted 12/05/2016 at 22:12:24
David, #391, can't say I'm happy with an apostrophe jumping into a word but a good article. Sky also have a good summary of what went wrong.
John Paul McGurk
396 Posted 12/05/2016 at 22:17:43
I would have given him next season and the 1st ten league games but get Moyes back and get us some stability.
Dave Abrahams
397 Posted 12/05/2016 at 22:18:38
Anthony (366) yes you are correct Howard made his debut ( not a good one ) in a 1-0 loss, at home to Southampton, I think it was around March in 1967.
Graham Fylde
399 Posted 12/05/2016 at 22:35:21
v Man U August 1967
3-1
West
Labone
Wilson
Wright
Hurst
Ball (2)
Colin Harvey
Kendall
Morrissey
Royle
Young (1)
Jim Hardin
400 Posted 12/05/2016 at 22:40:24
Darren,

I find it odd your post for RM waxing lyrical in a true melancholy sort of way. The man was here three years and wasn't good enough. Worse, he was delusional about many things. You say he meant well, loved the club, but wasn't good enough and wish him well.
Given that I do love double standards as applied by others, will you not say the same about Howard after his ten years of service? Passionate about Everton, a professional, just not good enough by your standards (plucked from the ether) Can't wait to read your post waxing eloquent about Tim after the last game. It should be a good read. At the least save some of whatever is in your glass for the toast I am sure you will make in his honour.

Ben Dyke
401 Posted 12/05/2016 at 22:51:33
Kendall (Nov 1990 - Dec 1993) 36.67%
Walker (Jan 1994 - Nov 1994) 19.35%
Royle (Nov 1994 - Mar 1997) 37.11%
Kendall (June 1997 - July 1998) 23.68%
Smith (July 1998 - Mar 2002) 28.67%
Moyes (Mar 2002 - July 2013) 40.52%
Martinez (July 2013 - May 2016) 38.05%

It's all pretty poor really. Would never have guessed Bobby was so close to Moyes

Phil Sammon
402 Posted 12/05/2016 at 22:52:26
I've been hoping I'd wake up to this news every morning for about 12 months! What a glorious day!
Clive Lewis
403 Posted 12/05/2016 at 22:53:39
Looking at teams who have been successfully they all have had a good midfield. The first thing is to get back to basics. You defend well, win the ball in midfield and good passing to pact strikers. When the opposition get the ball in midfield double up on them quickly, with no time n the ball. This was Leicesters philosophy and really it is so simple. It was evident that there should be no midfield players messing around with the ball overplaying. Ross Barkley in particular but Gareth Barry also. Roberto's major failing was in this area.
James Watts
404 Posted 12/05/2016 at 22:54:09
NSNO.co.uk reporting we are in talks with Koeman. No sources or quotes though ...
Clive Lewis
405 Posted 12/05/2016 at 23:01:30
Southampton under Koeman finished 7th , uninspiring gamble that would be.
Joseph Walsh
406 Posted 12/05/2016 at 23:12:25
At last!

I am hoping there were the usual performance related clauses in his contract and Club Lawyers negotiated it down so we didn't spunk £9m on his brown brogues?

Go big and get Maureen!

If United had got Champions League they would have been obliged to keep Sloth from the Goonies ("Hey you guys!") as manager which would have given us a chance with Mourinho. Alas, now I think he will be nailed on for United. Unless they win the cup... And then just maybe!!!

Ian Riley
407 Posted 12/05/2016 at 23:14:45
Results dictate your future. Sadly, Roberto, you protected your players to much!

Next chapter....

James Newcombe
408 Posted 12/05/2016 at 23:19:53
Kunal 334: that's a made up quote, I saw it on Twitter. The guy makes them for 'fun'!
Tony Abrahams
410 Posted 12/05/2016 at 23:30:19
A very sad day. Life is full of contradictions, and is the reason, I don't feel any real joy, that Martinez, has finally been told to go.

How could we have left him, and us, dangling on a string for so long?

I will only be really happy when Everton Football Club, can move forward, and, we will have a much better chance of this happening, once Bill Kenwright, follows Martinez, out the door.

Thanks for everything "Everton's Saviour", I only wish I could utter the words, "what a chairman"!

Contradictions? Mr Kenwright, has a great talent for it.

John Daley
411 Posted 12/05/2016 at 23:31:39
"Given that I do love double standards as applied by others, will you not say the same about Howard after his ten years of service?"

Link

Martin Nicholls
412 Posted 12/05/2016 at 23:39:48
Steve Brown#270 - spot on mate. Phil Walling - maybe time to stop peddling this "in the know" nonsense about Moshiri leaving all footballing decisions to Kenwright. Time to put your hands up mate and maybe explain why your "journo" friends were so wrong.
Dan Davies
413 Posted 12/05/2016 at 23:47:41
Yes Martin I have noticed Mr Phil Walling has been very quiet today! Are you there Phil? C'mon eat some humble pie mate ha ha!
Nick Entwistle
414 Posted 12/05/2016 at 00:01:43
A lazy lazy choice of manager. The chorizo of disdain casting its shadow over Goodison for too long. Three seasons too long. Every fear over his appointment came home to roost. The lost years can never be returned but the best players remain, if a little longer in the tooth. The Brett Angel of managers. Adios. Don't forget to flush on your way out. Fuck me, what a waste of time, a club, and just hope my passion comes back because 1000 days of Roberto drained it all away. Spanish donkey. Just the most abject time since I started supporting in '86. A fool, prat, idiot, imposter, phenomenal shyster. Taxi home? Airport more like. Don't even want him in the country. Go away go away go away. Why the hell did this day take so long? Just pointless in every way. Not relieved, just angry. Any apology forth coming Bill? Raghhhhhhhh, bollocks to you.
Darren Hind
415 Posted 12/05/2016 at 00:28:32
Jim

I might have known you would somehow shoehorn Spoonfeet into a thread that has nothing to do with him.

Let me try to ease your concerns that double Standards may be being applied here.

The fact that an Everton manager has not been able to deliver and is sacked after three years, makes me sad.
The fact that our Goalkeeper has not been able to deliver and is still here after a decade, makes me as miserable as sin.

Hope that eases your concerns

James Flynn
416 Posted 12/05/2016 at 01:10:54
Couldn't have happened to a better guy. He'd have been found out sooner or later. Unfortunately, it was with us.

A hustler of the first order, Martinez.

Slagged off players leaving for better when at Swansea, then left himself at the first whiff of top league opportunity. Left Wigan in the lurch after managing them down because an actual big Club came calling. Wasn't fired, jumped ship. "Every Man for Himself" will make a fitting epitaph on his tombstone.

He tripped and fell into a chump like Kenwright. The squad he inherited at Everton was primed for the right guy to get them over the last hurdle into the Top 4. Hadn't a clue as how to actually coach and manage a real team. Not a clue. The slow transition from a talented, disciplined squad to a "Roberto" one was completed by the end of his first season.

Finished 5th, though. And combined with Moyes' failure at ManU, he was "golden"; with supporters AND the Press. After that, he was over here as a pundit for WC 2014. He basked, glowed, in all the compliments rained on him by his fellow commentators. Stayed until the last second. How did that work out for EFC? Really bad, right? Yes, really bad. But not for him. Got a new contract. Oh wait, "discovered" Besic, a player who belongs over here in MLS.

No need to go over this season. Been discussed far into the thousands. Players stopped playing for him. Worse, for one another. Did he acknowledge it? Not once. Not even close. Because that would make HIM look bad. Did he do the right thing and offer the Club an out; "Give me some of my money and I'll go."

Haha, not a chance. He just kept showing up, disaster to disaster, until the Club's hand was forced. Anyone think he'll wake up in the morning with his pillow soaked in tears? If he does, tears of joy they'll be, due to his agent calling him before he went to bed, telling how many millions in severance pay he got.

So, he's gone and thank God. Fuck him. A Me First, Me Last, and Me Everything in Between hustler.


Kevin Rowlands
417 Posted 13/05/2016 at 02:31:05
Just logged on, James, couldn't have put it better if I'd tried, goodbye, good riddance, nice guy? Wonderful man? "what a manager" no fucking chance, complete fraud.
John Belshaw
418 Posted 13/05/2016 at 04:21:37
Martinez, Kenwright and Elstone. What's the saying, "Birds of a feather flock together". Deluded, gross under achievers and complete bullshitters. One down, two to go, Mr Moshiri!
Tahir Abdullah
419 Posted 13/05/2016 at 05:52:08
James @416, spot on. No sadness here for that snake oil salesman formerly known as EFC manager....
Darren Hind
420 Posted 13/05/2016 at 05:54:28
James Flynn

A nice kick-the-guy-when-he's-down, One-to-impress -the-guys hammering.

Not going to challenge most of it because I was writing it years ago on these very pages, but there is a reason I have always stopped short of calling him a fraud.

I know Hustler is an americanism . . but do you even know what it means ? I mean . .who did he hustle ?

He didnt sneak up on Kenwright, Kenwright came to him, He didnt sneak up on Dave whelan, Dave Whelan came for him . .so did Swansea. He never claimed he was a world class manager, Dave Whelan did that, Kenwright still thinks he is. Martinez did not write the songs about himself the Evertonians did that, He didnt sneak into the studios and start giving his opinion, You guys begged him to come, paid him a fortune to do so. .and you fucking lapped up what he had to say.

Its a human frailty, we all love to take pleasure in somebody else getting the boot, getting their "comeuppance", but their are no circumstances where the failure of an Everton manager can be anything but very bad news for us.

Martinez "hustled nobody" he was offered dream jobs and he did what anybody would have done, he took them.

He's gone now. He clearly wasn't up to the task, but there is something (for me anyway ) deeply unpleasant about the way some people are chasing him down the road trying to blacken his character . .I hope genuine malice never comes to visit those who can dub him an "evil little man". They wouldnt be equipped to deal with it

We've all got what we wanted, so lets move on. I know he rides off with his saddle bags overflowing, but look at the fucking cut of him, The guy's aged ten years in ten weeks.

I hope in the not to distant future, he rediscovers his sparkle and starts to enjoy the fortunes other people have been all to eager to throw at him... I'd also like to think most already know who the real Hustlers at Goodison are and have been

Ben Dyke
422 Posted 13/05/2016 at 06:34:28
Darren what the heck are you defending? His reign was atrocious. He got lucky year one inheriting a squad that had been coached well to defend as a team. And even that season limped to a dissatisfactory end. This limp or fatal wound carried on for 2 whole seasons! During which the similarities with his previous club grew clearer and clearer! And all the while he spouted what at best was wishful thinking at worst was lies.
He inherited a consistent top 7 team and turned them in to Wigan whilst promising Champions League. And earned 3m a year for the privilege. That's a hustler, shark, fraud right there. If you cant see it I'm glad you're not in charge of my finances let alone Everton! What facts back up his pronouncements. The best thing he did at Everton was get filmed dancing well at a music concert.
Darren Hind
424 Posted 13/05/2016 at 06:57:55
Ben

I was criticising Martinez and calling for his head when you were still trying to learn the words to "Roberto had a dream"

I just think accusations like Hustler, shark and fraud lack class.

Try to get your head around the fact that there is a very definite difference between thinking you are telling the truth and lying.

Being wrong does not constitute cheating

Christine Foster
425 Posted 13/05/2016 at 07:16:14
You know something guys? Like all of you I am glad he has gone. My mum used to say if you can't say anything good about a person then don't say anything at all. So I'm not. There is a huge chunk of people who want to get the knife in , and twist it, that's a shame, we are better than that. If you want to see the job done properly the look at the man who employed him, spent millions on him, spent millions getting rid of him and provided an ignominious epitaph for Martinez with the now immortal words "What a manager"
well, "What a board, what a Chairman" is far more accurate.

To the players who got shown the door because they opened their mouth. It's a bad chapter in the clubs history that's coming to an end.

To the fans, it hasn't been much fun being Evertonian, treated disgracefully, still by a club we love. Not much of a legacy to be remembered by. Hopefully Moshiri has the measure of the people now.. As a new chapter opens.

Mike Allison
426 Posted 13/05/2016 at 07:22:53
Well said Darren.
Peter Morris
427 Posted 13/05/2016 at 07:34:14
Adios Roberto and gracias. The best of luck to you and your family , and I'm sorry it didn't work out for you, but you were given enough time, and much more than you would have been afforded elsewhere.
A thoroughly decent if flawed character, and I for one really appreciate the fact that he tried to embed himself and sign up to the history and culture of our club. Could you see a prick like Mourinho doing that? Never. It's all 'me, me,me' with him and his like and they do not belong at a club like ours. Winners or not, we have to find our winner with the right character.
I think it was a sensitive call by the club to call off the Awards Dinner. In any case, after the shambles those players have delivered for most of this season, who deserves to be awarded anything? The youngsters and the Academy kids maybe, but the first team pool, to a man, need to look at themselves in the mirror and ask serious questions about themselves. They have cost a decent man his job and more importantly his reputation.
The picture of James McCarthy the other night, strolling our after a corner as if he's popping down to the corner shop for a paper, and playing their centre half onside to score with ease, says it all for me. This is supposed to be our midfield dynamo for fuck's sake. Bally would be turning in his grave!
Christine Foster
428 Posted 13/05/2016 at 07:45:25
Peter Morris, he was out of his depth. Completely. The players no longer believed, the fans no longer believed. But most importantly neither did he. Failure is a bitter drink that no one wants to share, blame is apportioned by those who wish to deflect criticsm of their own part.
The responsibility for Martinez failure is his own, not the players. A flawed system, flawed selection, flawed tactics.
Christine Foster
429 Posted 13/05/2016 at 07:50:59
The associates of his failure run through the club, from the man who hired him to the players who did not deliver but ultimately it was his own inability to do the basics of the job that cost him. I don't feel sorry for him but I do feel sorry for seeing my club where it is because of it.
Paul Tran
430 Posted 13/05/2016 at 08:03:49
Well said Darren. I'm trying to reconcile failed football manger with the words evil, hustler, cheat, etc.

He came, tried his best, raised our hopes and dashed them spectacularly. And he's rightly been sacked a year too late.

That's it. Let him go. Move on.

Tahir Abdullah
431 Posted 13/05/2016 at 08:08:13
I tend to go with the view of the late Harold Matthews that RM is not a nice man; agreed that perhaps a more forgiving approach to his departure could be of value, but he brought it all on himself...his absolute disregard for the Evertonian fanbase will continue pissing of many long beyond his sacking. Cheers Roberto; You can fool some of the people some of the time...a lesson for him in there.
Joseph Walsh
432 Posted 13/05/2016 at 08:09:21
Happened to be getting a train from Runcorn to Euston the morning after the 1-1 with Palace this season.

Roberto was in the waiting lounge and we started talking and then on the carriage too.

He was friendly, happy to talk and very open about various matters and wanted to talk. I actually really liked him as a person.

He was visiting the chairman in London who he said had been ill and that he was upset with the result the night before because as you recall we deserved to win. We spoke about Stones and Lukaku and he said they wouldn't leave just yet but at some point they would.

Ok, hardly any insider scoops but my point being I found him a thoroughly engaging and friendly gentleman who had the club's best intentions at heart. Now I've spoken to various ex players and managers over the years including some from the RS who were right miserable sods but Roberto made time to speak to me at length and was asking me questions about various Everton facts and history etc. He did know his history too.

So because of the man and what he tried to do I do feel a sense of saddness today but when you lose the players (and they are largely culpable too for the way they played) then there was no going back. His tactics and fitness coaching let him down and he was probably out of his depth and it is for the best. Like all of us I am not privy to what goes on behind closed doors but I found him a thoroughly decent guy and very likeable after that meeting
... But then so is the Dalai Lama and I wouldn't want him managing my club. But good luck Roberto and thanks for trying.

James Hughes
433 Posted 13/05/2016 at 08:11:25
Darren , eloquently put.
I am glad he's gone but have to agree with Paul Tran's sentiments
Kim Vivian
434 Posted 13/05/2016 at 08:18:05
Darren Hind - good comments.

I have wanted him gone for a fair while now, but cannot accept for one minute that he set out to dupe us. He had a belief, stuck to it and came up short. There was no calculated scam, cheating, lying or hustling that I recognised. One of his biggest failings was to bring his mates from Wigan rather than build a guilt edged back up team who could have concentrated on defence, attack or whatever while he tried to implement his plan.

I, and I am sure most of us, would have wanted him to succeed. I have said before - failure is a bitter, bitter pill to swallow but I think we will see him back on our screens before long at the Euros looking better than ever, and I wish him well getting his feet back ground at a mediocre club in Spain - and I don't want to talk about the money because top flight football is quite obscene in that respect. Not knocking the guy because I love him, but as anyone calculated for example how much Hibbo has earned per minute played over the last two years.

However - it is in the past now, we heave a sigh of relief and start afresh with a fairly blank canvass. I wish it had worked for him and look forward to our immediate and longer term future with considerable more optimism than I have had for some time.

Time to stop kicking the guy when he's down and out. That's for cowards.

Colin Glassar
435 Posted 13/05/2016 at 08:23:51
When are we going to call time on the real villain in this piece? Where is our Beloved Heavenly Chairman? Why hasn't he come out and spoke about his 'What a mamager'?

He's appointed three managers during his reign, two he's had to sack and the other one cuckolded him behind his back and buggered off.

Martinez, quite rightly, is being criticised and laughed at but what about this useless fat fuck? Does he get off Scott free as usual? Does he come out of this smelling of roses? I hope not. I hope Moshiri tells him to piss off after the Norwich game and to take that snivelling little shithouse, Elstone, with him. Pair of useless, spineless gobshites who don't have the balls to face the heat.

Joe Clitherow
436 Posted 13/05/2016 at 08:26:41
Colin

Bill has only appointed two managers. Walter Smith was a Peter Johnson appointment

John Dean
437 Posted 13/05/2016 at 08:28:12
As yesterday coincided with National Limerick Day, I contribute the following Ode to Bobby Go (aka Bobby Shafted):

Our possession fan, Roberto
Played football as a concerto
But he fiddled as we burnt
And he never learnt
Sideways is no way to go

I liked the man. He worked hard for us and the legacy of his youth policy is rightly lauded by the club. I wish him well.
Next.

Colin Glassar
438 Posted 13/05/2016 at 08:29:32
I'm still blaming him Joe. He's useless
Matt Garen
439 Posted 13/05/2016 at 08:35:50
Ben 401, he was only close to Moyes because of his first season with Moyes team. Once he had got his philosophy into them his true colours and stats are plain to see. 22 wins in last 75 games. That puts him closer to Smith and another season he would have shared a record with another former manager, Thomas H. Mcintosh.
Steve Woods
440 Posted 13/05/2016 at 08:37:57
Colin # 435 your thoughts echo mine entirely, thank you for putting it so succinctly. Let's hope he does get his marching orders and permanent exile from the boardroom and any decision making. As for Elstone the Wiganite rugby lover, he should never have been here. Surely Moshiri will appoint a dynamic business person to shake up and transform our so called commercial activities.
John Jennings
441 Posted 13/05/2016 at 08:50:29
Darren and Christine - top comments, along with many others.

We really need to train our sights on BK as that is the rotten core of the club.

Time to mobilise the support base as that lot across the park have done.

Robert Workman
442 Posted 13/05/2016 at 09:33:22
I must admit that I had no time for supporters who wanted us to lose games in order that Martinez would be sacked. Like many I wanted us to win the FA Cup.

However I now realise, from what appears to have been going on behind the scenes, that this latest run of appalling results (plus crowd reaction) has been the tipping point.
If Lukaku had managed to convert some chances in the semi-final we would still have a good chance of winning the Cup. If that had happened then I can just imagine another "What a manager!", followed by another season of under achievement.

Eugene Ruane
443 Posted 13/05/2016 at 10:23:35
Derek (381) - 'You're right. We need a winner, I don't care how feckin' arrogant other clubs' supporters think he is,'

To be clear, I'm not suggesting we need arrogance, my opinion is arrogance is great IF the players go along with it.

But 'nice' (humble, not arrogant) is great if the players go along with that.

Ultimately, it's all about getting the players to respond to the manager and his philosophy and (for us) that's when it's all becomes a bit of a lottery - because we have no idea how that works (or will work).

As I said earlier - Fergie terrified Utd's players and they won titles, Roy Keane terrified Sunderland and they lost every week and fucked him off (repeat - no one knows anything).

I understand people will speculate and confidently state "We don't want Tommy Krint, he's never won fuck all!" or "Get Lars Førrener, he's a winner" etc, but any 'logic' applied to choosing a successful (or unsuccessful) manager can, imo, easily be dismantled.

(basically - unsuccessful managers become successful, successful managers become unsuccessful).

For my own health, I will keep reminding myself..

'You don't get to pick the next manager or have any say in who it might be, so don't get worked up about it and hope it all works out for the best.'

Chris Jones
446 Posted 13/05/2016 at 11:44:24
Glad Martinez is gone. Please stay well away from Moyes – we do not need to go backwards. De Boer or Koeman for me.
Paul Ferry
447 Posted 13/05/2016 at 11:59:23
Darren Hind, you are the star of this thread, mate. Someone who consistently hammered Martinez from the longest time ago in his reign but has shown decency and dignity in his leaving.

Get to the Winslow after 1 on Sunday, mate, so that I can buy you a pint. You'll spot Rob Halligan: dazzling grey hair, built like a brick shithouse, 6'- 4", surrounded by women.

Ralph Basnett
448 Posted 13/05/2016 at 12:12:53
Does this plank really deserve a 443 (oops 444) reply thread?

Lets close this thread, just like we will have to close the RM management years and move on.

James Flynn
449 Posted 13/05/2016 at 14:00:49
Darren Hind - My last words on this.

When Lyndon posted Roberto was gone, I thought "Finally! Good, whose next?" That's it. I had no intention of posting anything.

But scrolling thru the comments, here I come across that hypocritical, maudlin treacle you posted at (332). I actually did laugh out loud, "Haha, Christ! Off all Evertonians, YOU Hind? Hahaha."

Like you and so many others, I never wanted him and said so loudly, repeatedly. But once he was in, I stopped. He's managing my Club, so I have no choice but to support him and hope for the best. Did you? Ever? No, right? Right.

From early in his first season, to just recently, you tore enough strips off him to leave just bones for other to pick over. You never, EVER, supported Roberto. Now he's gone, you come all-over tearful for the poor guy? Coming from you, a trough full of hogwash.

Inspired me to post, you did. My description of him is accurate; a hustler. A first-rate one, matter of fact. Many things can be said about Kenwright, "nobody's fool" would be right up there. A fine hustler in his own right. Yet, Roberto topped him. They deserved one another. Unfortunately, the rest of us deserved neither.

And you, of every single ToffeeWebber, want to say my description lacked class? Think I'll find some other criteria for defining class then anything coming from the one person in here who never for a moment gave Roberto a break or the benefit of the doubt.

You're the guy or gal I've seen at different job sites, spends all their time putting the poormouth on someone. Then, when that person is fired is the first over to shake a hand and wish them well.

"I'm raising a glass to Roberto. has driven me to distraction at times, but at no time in the past three years did I ever doubt his passion for our club. "

Hahahahaha! Phony.

Tony Abrahams
450 Posted 13/05/2016 at 14:12:36
Darren 420, I like your style. Some would have came on here shouting how they told us two fucking years ago, but you have got a lot more sense than that mate.

Maybe it is time to end this thread Ralph, but if Roberto is a plank, what shall we call the man, who kept him in a job, instead of sacking him six weeks ago?

I believe if Everton's board, would have acted when Baines spoke about a lack of chemistry, we would have been going back to Wembley, next week.

Nobody comes out of this with any credit, but the lack of fight shown by the players, should have been rectified by the people in charge, whilst we still had a chance of some silverware.

It's better to deliver something, than talk about it Mr Kenwright. Please go now.

Paul Ferry
451 Posted 13/05/2016 at 14:46:46
james Flynn (449). I have to say that I wince a little when you call life-long supporter Darren Hind from Kirkdale a 'phony'.

This, by the way, is in so shape or form a comment at any foreign-based, foreign-born ToffeeWebber, all of whom are gem, but someone like you choosing this form of words against a life-long blue.

I also think that you musrepresent Darren hind as he did not attack Martinez from the start - that would be the one very good season wouldn't it? Spectism yes, but no attacks. The criticism along with many others came really boiled up in the winter of discontent 20114-2015.

Gary Russell
452 Posted 13/05/2016 at 15:34:35
I echo Darren's words. He is a good guy, just not up for the job and has been found out wanting. The venom and hate (which is what seems to be spouting forth from some) should be directed at the person who employed him and has hoodwinked, to put it fucking mildly, most Evertonians season after season.

Bill is the problem. Lets hope we can soon say 'was the problem.'

Roberto was annoying. But he was allowed to be annoying

John Harrop
453 Posted 13/05/2016 at 16:33:21
12 Mar - FA Cup Quarter-final
12 May - Martinez sacked

From 'What a manager!' to 'What manager?' in two calendar months.

Tony Abrahams
454 Posted 13/05/2016 at 16:37:14
Not my argument, which will probably now start, but that's a bad shout that James 449.

Because of my bad grammar, this will probably be added to this thread about midnight, but I've personally seen loads of posts on ToffeeWeb, where Darren, has tried to get behind Martinez, and his team.

I disagreed with Darren, plenty of times, regarding Martinez, as did most on here, but ultimately he was proved right, and me wrong, when he repeatedly went on about Roberto's lack of preparation for the start of last season. (Fail to prepare, prepare to fail)

I don't know anyone on T/W, personally, but I have never found Darren's posts to be snide or indeed Phoney? He's a little condescending at times to Jim, but that seems to be between themselves. As I said James, I think that was a really bad shout that mate.

Darren Hind
455 Posted 13/05/2016 at 17:34:23
James Flynn.

Let me try to put this a simply as I can.

I stand by every bit of criticism I have ever levelled at Martinez. I wont take any of it back. I'm glad he's gone, never wanted him in the first place, BUT (and here's the thing you cant get your head around) I have never thought he was a cunt . .I have never thought he was evil and I would never come here making unsubstantiated claims that he was a fraud. I will take Viv's advise and leave the internet character assassinations and the desire to kick a beaten man to the cowards.

You were happy to jump on the Martinez bandwagon when he was flavour of the month , but as soon as the sun stopped shining and another bandwagon came along in the other direction, you couldn't clamber aboard quick enough. Ever thought of thinking for yourself ?
Now you are criticising a period through which you spent your time happy clapping . . and you have the temerity to call somebody else a phony ?

I have no doubt you thought your nasty allegations were going to be met with universal approval, but you couldn't have been more wrong. This was no Davey Moyes situation, Martinez has not insulted or tried to belittle our club.

Let me explain something to you about this club; The overwhelming majority only care about results, if somebody isn't good enough (in whatever role) they will want him gone, but they do not feel the need to kick the man to fuck when he does eventually go. his dismissal is enough. we move on. Your slanderous attacks not only lack class, they lack common decency. I'm fucking made up you didn't get the response you were expecting.

Martinez did not hold a gun to the clubs head, he accepted the massive salary they were prepared to pay him. Get it? It's legally binding. The guy didn't have to deceive the club out of those millions, they were giving it to him freely AND THEY WERE GIVING IT TO HIM BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID IF THEY DIDN'T, SOMEBODY ELSE WOULD.

It wasn't just the nastiness of your unsubstantiated allegations which I found obnoxious, I found the stupidity of them equally offensive.

Ian Linn
456 Posted 13/05/2016 at 19:44:09
The irony of this situation is that despite his pretty poor record as a manager, I bet he will be back in a job within 6 months.

I also don;t get it when former players and pundits say 'he's a good Manager'. Pat Nevin said it on the BBC the other night and it's bollocks. He might be a nice guy but his record is shitty, which is all that should count in a results driven business.

I shall not miss the complete shite he would trot out after a game. I pity the next club that gets him.

Michael Neely
457 Posted 13/05/2016 at 20:26:27
How soon we forget that first season. Some of the football was
mouthwatering stuff, and certainly had me enjoying going to the match again. He should not be vilified for all his time at the club.
Unfortunately there was no plan "B" in his locker and his style was sussed by every manager in the league making his continued tenure impossible.
One good thing has come from his time with us and that is his ability to attract good youngsters to the club and show faith in them. I think he'd make an excellent head scout for a top club, but as a manager he's shown his limitations.
Patrick Murphy
458 Posted 13/05/2016 at 20:37:31
Michael (457) I haven't forgotten it and I enjoyed watching the goals the other day - some really good ones too. However, what happened three seasons ago really doesn't matter in the present day. I agree that Roberto did do some good things for Everton and indeed his legacy might be greater than his actual results but the game is all about results as there are no points awarded for artistic impression. We move on, Martinez moves on and hopefully the next boss will be more successful than the man he replaces.
Michael Neely
461 Posted 13/05/2016 at 21:40:24
Bill Kenwright now owns about 12% of shares in Everton John Woods owns about 8% of shares, These are not exactly positions of power. If Bill was to be ousted it probably would have happened when Mr Moshiri bought his shares, but it didn't, because they are close friends. I've a feeling there would have to be a major falling out if Bill were to be replaced. Personally I don't give a toss if he stays Moshiri wields the power at Everton now. Kenwright will do negotiations on contracts etc targets will be identified by the manager or director of football whatever the case may be and Kenwright will handle the business side of things, which he is undoubtedly good at. So please don't call for his head anymore I doubt it will happen.
Tony Abrahams
462 Posted 13/05/2016 at 23:34:51
You talk a great deal of sense Michael, but if we don't call for Bill's head, it will never happen. Do you know my favourite thing about summer? It gets warm enough so that you don't have to pull the wool over anyone's eyes!

Kenwright is undoubtedly good at the business side of things? Good old Bill!


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