Simon Jordan cites Everton fans in Newcastle United warning over Robert Martinez
Simon Jordan is bewildered by claims that ex-Everton manager Roberto Martinez could be in line to succeed Steve Bruce at Newcastle United.
The Magpies were the subject of a £305million takeover last week by a consortium headed by financier Amanda Staveley and backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
The Times have since reported that Bruce is likely to be sacked before Newcastle play Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, and Belgium national team boss Martinez is being considered for the role.
That’s a suggestion that has dumfounded ex-Crystal Palace chairman Jordan who, speaking via talkSPORT [11:11, 11/10/21] on Monday, has signalled a warning against such a move, citing Everton supporters to back his theory up.
Jordan said: “The idea – and I’m careful what I say now after my observations last week about this deal not happening – that Martinex is a fix, to me, is just astounding.
“Ask Everton fans what they think of Martinez, and I don’t think you’d get that much of a popular response.”
Sublime to stale
Martinez endured mixed fortunes at Goodison Park during his three-season spell between 2013-2016.
He joined as an FA Cup winner with Wigan Athletic, though he had also overseen their relegation to the Championship in the same campaign.
His reputation soared after his first season at Everton, though, as he guided the Blues to fifth, playing an attractive style of football that brought the best out of exciting young talents such as Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley.
However, after leading the club to their highest-ever Premier League points tally, Martinez’s Everton career took a nosedive.
They finished 11th in the next two seasons, with Martinez sacked one game before the end of the 2015/16 campaign.
To much surprise, he was then handed the reigns at the Belgium national team, tasked with leading their ‘Golden Generation’ to success.
However, they have failed to reach a major final under his stewardship.
Remarkably, Martinex was even reported to be a frontrunner for the vacant Everton job during the summer [Sky Sports], though a sensational return never transpired as Rafa Benitez was named Carlo Ancelotti’s successor.
In other Everton news, Ronald Koeman could rival the Blues in the race to sign this international ace Arsene Wenger called ‘unbelievable’.
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