Might be a bit long this.
I remember that press conference in June 2013 pretty well. The buzz of watching a Everton manager speak with real desire and ambition was something completely new to myself. I’m quite young (compared to the majority of our supporters), so I usually associate managerial press conferences with mundane conversation surrounding the fitness of our players and how we’re hoping to get the best price for our prized assets.
But this was different. This was a promise of Champions League football. A promise of ambition. A promise of a fresh breath of air to a club that had become associated plucky draws away at Old Trafford, and the odd semi final here and there.
I remember being taken aback about the promise of investment, the promise of the return of the “School of Science” of which I had heard so much about from my father. I, like many of us, was sold to the idea of a new beginning. Martinez had recently relegated Wigan, but had also brought that all too illusive silverware to a club that had been fighting well above his weight for a number of years - so we all overlooked his weaknesses and saw his tenure at the club as a time for him as a manager to grow.
That summer was incredible. John Stones’ panenka penalty against Juventus, that wonderful attacking display against Madrid - seeing the club invest millions in new exciting players. Excitement surrounded the club. A bright new future was there.
We had finally arrived. The School of Science has reopened, and is ready for business.
Despite not winning his first competitive game, Martinez was quick to praise the players. It quickly became evident that his intention was to bring an environment of positivity to the club. The media quickly caught onto this and praised him for his willingness to trust up-and-coming starlets such as Ross Barkley, Gerard Deulofeu, Romelu Lukaku and John Stones. Even without the constant praise and use of superlatives, the club was seeing a positive transformation.
The football was superb. A perfect mix of attacking flair and defensive solidity - the likes of which I had never seen from our club. Fans and plaudits alike were quick to heap praise on the young Spaniard. In spite of the fact that we had accumulated over 70 points (of which 90% of the time would have all but guaranteed Champions League football) - Everton finished a respectable 5th. Not bad for a club that was touted to struggle without the managerial prowess of Alex Ferguson's’ failed successor.
It felt good to be an Evertonian again.
The second season however was less successful. The signing of Samuel Eto’o was touted to be one of the best of the season, but the veteran failed to make a substantial impact on the squad and was quickly offloaded in January - with rumours of a fallout with the manager being circulated around the press. The regression of the previously dependable Sylvain Distin was also damaging to the club, again rumours circulated about potential dressing room unrest - which continued onwards.
In spite of this, our performances in the Europa League were scintillating. Our boys lit up the competition, with magical performances from Ross Barkley, Kevin Mirallas, Seamus Coleman and Romelu Lukaku. That being said, the League performances seriously lacked any consistency. By December, questions were being raised about different the players seemed to be in the league compared to the continental competition. Martinez was quick to refute this and frequently talked about imminent ‘turning points’ .
Martinez’ overuse of terminology begun to rub a small number of the fan base the wrong way. THings really begun to turn sour. Despite a 3-1 win against relegation-destined QPR, a small section of supported boo’ed at the final whistle. This was ridiculed on GOT as kopite behaviour, but the concerns were there.
An dismal 5-2 loss at Kiev cut our european adventure short, and focus was put on the league performances. Many were concerned about potential relegation, but our late-season form picked up and saw us finish a disappointing but acceptable 11th.
This season however. Wow. Does anyone want me to rehash it?
Martinez has somehow managed to split a fanbase into two, and then back together in pure hatred. Most supporters now despise the manager and want him gone.
So….
Martinez will be seen as a missed opportunity. COuld have been something incredible, but his unwillingness to change has ultimately cost him the job. I have no doubt that he loves the club, but he’s not the right man to take us forward - unless he realises his mistakes and builds from there.
Whether or not he’ll have another chance of doing that is another matter….
