Roberto Martinez still in contention for Everton job despite Benitez news – ESPN
In a stunning turn term of events, ESPN are suggesting that former Everton manager Roberto Martinez remains in contention for the vacant Goodison Park managerial hot seat.
Everton have been linked with an array of managers since Carlo Ancelotti joined Real Madrid, but on Wednesday, former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez appeared to be closing in on the job. [talkSPORT]
Other publications were soon to follow suit, stating that the Spaniard was the favourite to land the job after holding positive talks with the club.
ESPN’s Mark Ogden sang from the same hymn sheet, but he said that Martinez was still in contention for the job, despite it being Benitez’s to lose.
In the report on the ESPN website, Ogden further states that the former Everton boss is still backed by director of football Marcel Brands and club chairman Bill Kenwright while majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri is eyeing Benitez.
Twists and turns
We didn’t expect our managerial race to become so heated up when Ancelotti left, but that is just what’s happened.
The likes of Nuno Espirito Santo and Christophe Galtier seemed to be frontrunners at some point before things eventually fizzling out.
That said, Benitez now appears closer than any of them were to the job, after holding positive talks with the club.
Now, Martinez’s name has been thrown in the hat, but it’s unlikely that we go for him and we shouldn’t as he’s taken us as far as he could and may be the Belgian FA’s preferred choice of manager for the World Cup next year.
Instead of turning back the clock, we should look to someone for the future.
We’re all for Benitez’s appointment as we look at managers based on merit and not which clubs they managed in the past, and he’s certainly known to be a manager who helps teams punch above their weight.
However, a large chunk of the fanbase may take some warming up as this would undoubtedly be a highly controversial move.
That said, it’s best for all fans to keep an open mind and give whoever is appointed a fair chance before writing them off.
In other Everton news, Toffees set to announce new contract for attacker amid exit speculation – The Athletic
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