Why Everton boss Martinez is glad he said no to replacing Dalglish at Liverpool
Roberto Martinez remembers the day well. Strolling down a boulevard in Miami alongside John W Henry, a Starbucks in hand, the prospect of managing Liverpool in the air.
When pictures emerged of Martinez and Henry in conversation, it seemed a fait accompli that he would replace Kenny Dalglish in May 2012. Not so. Regardless of how it looked, the reality was different. Martinez was never convinced he should leave Wigan for one of football’s biggest roles.
‘Things happen for a reason and everything has to come naturally,’ Martinez explained ahead of his first Merseyside derby as Everton manager.
Opportunity calls? But Everton boss Roberto Martinez remained at Wigan instead of joining Liverpool
‘I do feel that was the case, not just with Liverpool but with other clubs also. It was never the right time to move, it didn’t feel that way from my side.
‘The way I am allowed to work here feels right to me. It allows you to work. As long as you know exactly where you stand and are allowed to work then you will have the football happiness you need as a manager
‘I understand we are talking about Liverpool because it’s a derby but there were three or four other clubs interested and the decision I had to take was about staying or moving at that time. Everything fell into place (with me coming here) and has been very natural. I do believe in that.’
On Saturday Martinez has an opportunity to remind Henry, Liverpool’s principal owner, of the qualities which prompted that not-so-secret meeting in Florida. This is a big game for him and masterminding a victory would settle down those Evertonians who are still adjusting to his methods.
Promising manager: Despite the difficulties of the job, Roberto Martinez has made a bright start at Everton
Injury doubt: In-form striker Daniel Sturridge could miss Saturday's match because of a dead leg
Loyal character: While at Wigan, Roberto Martinez resisted other opportunities to leave the club
The momentum Everton built impressively during the autumn has been checked slightly by consecutive goalless draws, the second of which at Crystal Palace was greeted with muffled irritation by some who had travelled to Selhurst Park. Yet Martinez is not someone who will get flustered and perhaps that is what Everton need on derby day.
Too often during the past decade, Everton have allowed themselves to get caught up in the emotion and ended up paying a heavy price.
Liverpool have amassed so many wins at Goodison Park since the turn of the century — nine in the last 13 visits — that another one this lunchtime would, incredibly, mean they have triumphed in as many away derbies as they have lost. They currently have 39 wins to 40 defeats.
‘I’ve been excited to hear about that side of things from the lads here who have a lot of experience of the Merseyside derby,’ says Martinez.
Sharing a joke: But Roberto Martinez did not ending up replacing Kenny Dalglish (left) as Liverpool manager
Eventual appointment: It was Brendan Rodgers (centre) who took over at Liverpool in the summer of 2012
Closing in? Liverpool have won 39, and lost 40, of the Merseyside derbies played at Everton's Goodison Park
‘They’ve told me about how derbies have made the career of a player who was going nowhere and the negative effect it has had on some players.
‘They didn’t tell me about the impact on managers — maybe they were afraid to tell me that! But I’ve always rated the success of a manager by the success of a team. It’s about winning football games and achieving things. That’s all that matters to me. That’s the only worry I have in my job.’
Martinez, however, is not the only man who will think what might have been when he sees the Red line-up.
Gareth Barry was a prime target for Liverpool in 2008, when Rafa Benitez wanted him to replace Xabi Alonso. It was not one of the Spaniard’s most popular moves.
Key recruit: Gareth Barry has proved a quality signing for Everton, but came close to joining Liverpool in 2008
Classy: But for all of Xabi Alonso's quality, then-manager Rafa Benitez (right) appeared to want to sell him
‘The big thing with the Liverpool fans was that it looked like one of their favourites was leaving,’ recalled Barry, who is on a season-long loan at Goodison from Manchester City.
‘They didn’t have the funds, it came to that. But I quickly got my head round the fact it wasn’t going to happen.
‘I have a lot of respect for Liverpool. They are a fantastic club with a lot of history. That was one of the selling points at the time, but things do happen for a reason, and I ended up with a Premier League and FA Cup, which was massive.’
Room-mates: Steven Gerrard and Gareth Barry (both on the subs' bench) roomed together at Euro 2000
Key man: Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard still has the ability to influence the Merseyside derby
Ambitious: Brendan Rodgers has also spoken of how he considers Everton to be serious rivals
Barry roomed with Steven Gerrard when the pair went to Euro 2000. Many of the faces have changed in Merseyside recently but one thing remains the same and Liverpool’s captain will inevitably have a major influence once more.
‘Games like Everton are right up his street,’ said manager Brendan Rodgers, who is waiting for news on Daniel Sturridge’s fitness. ‘He loves these games, the intensity. He knows how important they are and that translates to his team-mates. He is remarkable.’
0 comments:
Post a Comment