Roberto Martinez sensationally linked with Southampton
By Chris Hughes
Former Everton boss Roberto Martinez has reportedly been approached by the Saints board with regards to the vacant managerial role.
Southampton’s managerial links have gone from ambitious to down-right mad in just a week, going from Thomas Tuchel and Frank de Boer to Ryan Giggs and now Roberto Martinez.
It’s reported in today’s edition of the Mirror that Southampton feel a swoop for Martinez would be a good move to replace the sacked Claude Puel, who was finally removed from his position after weeks of speculation earlier this week.
Martinez boasts much more experience in English football than other candidates linked with the vacancy, something that could prove a deciding factor following Puel’s struggles managing in the Premier League.
The Spaniard managed Swansea City, Wigan Athletic and Everton before eventually being sacked by the latter last summer. He won the 2013 FA Cup with the Latics too.
The 43-year-old currently manages the Belgium national team, forming an unorthodox coaching team with Arsenal’s all-time leading goalscorer Thierry Henry.
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Known for deploying a relatively attacking style of football whilst offering ample chances to young players at his respective teams, Martinez seems like a great candidate for the job.
However his team’s have regularly struggled defensively, with Everton finishing outside of the top-ten for the first time in several years in the 2015-16 campaign. That year his side conceded 55 goals in the 38 games, with only teams in the bottom five leaking more at their own end.
Fans have already taken to Twitter to express their annoyance at the emerging rumour, suggesting Martinez isn’t the manager that matches the club and board’s vision, which is to reach the Champions League by the turn of the decade.