Roberto Martínez

For other people named Roberto Martinez, see Roberto Martinez (disambiguation).
This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Martínez and the second or maternal family name is Montoliú.
Roberto Martínez

Martínez as manager of Wigan Athletic in 2010
Personal information
Full name Roberto Martínez Montoliú
Date of birth (1973-07-13) 13 July 1973
Place of birth Balaguer, Spain
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Everton (manager)
Youth career
1982–1990 Balaguer
1990–1994 Zaragoza
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1993–1994 Zaragoza 1 (0)
1994–1995 Balaguer 19 (2)
1995–2001 Wigan Athletic 187 (17)
2001–2002 Motherwell 16 (0)
2002–2003 Walsall 6 (0)
2003–2006 Swansea City 122 (4)
2006–2007 Chester City 31 (3)
Total 382 (26)
Teams managed
2007–2009 Swansea City
2009–2013 Wigan Athletic
2013– Everton

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

† Appearances (goals)

Roberto Martínez Montoliú (born 13 July 1973) is a Spanish former professional footballer who is the current manager of Premier League club Everton.

Martínez played as a defensive midfielder and began his career at Real Zaragoza, with whom he won the Copa del Rey. He spent a year at lower league side CF Balaguer, before signing for English Third Division side Wigan Athletic. Becoming part of a small Spanish contingent at the club known as "the three amigos" alongside Jesús Seba and Isidro Díaz, he was a regular first team player for six years, the longest period of time he spent at one club. During his time there, he won the Football League Third Division and the Football League Trophy. He moved to Scottish side Motherwell, then to Walsall, before joining Swansea City in 2003. He became club captain and helped the team to win promotion to League One in 2005. He moved to Chester City in 2006, and was again chosen to be captain.

In 2007, he retired from playing to become manager of Swansea City, leading them to promotion from League One as champions. He then joined Wigan Athletic in 2009, helping the club avoid relegation for three consecutive seasons. In his fourth season Wigan were relegated, but won the FA Cup for the first time in the club's history. At the end of that season he left to become the manager at Everton.

Early life

Born in Balaguer, Lleida, Catalonia, Martínez began his career at his home-town club CF Balaguer in the Tercera División, playing his first competitive game for the club's youth team when he was nine years old. He played at every level of youth football for the club before moving to Real Zaragoza at the age of 16.[1]

Playing career

Martínez made his first appearance for the Real Zaragoza B team in 1991, but spent most of his first three seasons at the club playing for the youth teams.[2] On 20 June 1993, he made his debut for the first team in La Liga on the final day of the 1992–93 season in a 2–2 draw with Atlético Madrid, coming onto the pitch as a substitute for Luis Carlos Cuartero in the 55th minute.[3] During the following season, Martínez featured more regularly for the B team,[4] helping the team regain promotion to the Segunda División B after being relegated in the previous season. In 1994, he returned to Balaguer to play for the first team, and also ran a football school for the club as an alternative to military service.[5]

Martínez was offered the chance to move to England by Dave Whelan, Chairman of Wigan Athletic, and he signed on a free transfer on 25 July 1995, joining fellow Spaniards Jesús Seba and Isidro Díaz, who were collectively referred to as the "Three Amigos".[6] He made his debut on 12 August 1995 against Gillingham, scoring for Wigan in a 2–1 defeat. He finished the 1995–1996 season as the club's top goalscorer with 13 goals in all competitions, and his impressive performances were recognised when he was named in the Division Three PFA Team of the Year, and was also voted by the supporters as the club's Player of the Year.[7]

Martínez won his first honours at the end of the following season, in 1996–1997, when Wigan finished as Division Three Champions. He was once again named in the Division Three PFA Team of the Year, and was rewarded with a new four-year contract.[8] Martínez was also at Wigan when the team won the Football League Trophy in 1999, which he received a winners' medal for despite being injured when the final was played.[9]

Released by Wigan on a free transfer at the end of the 2000–01 season, Martínez signed a three-year deal with Scottish club Motherwell in July 2001.[10] He made only eight appearances, plus eight more as a substitute, before having his contract terminated at the end of the season after the club had entered administration a week earlier.[11]

He moved back to England to join First Division club Walsall on a free transfer in August 2002. Again, he did not feature regularly, starting just one game for Walsall (a home match against Reading, in which he also got sent off)[12] and making a further five appearances as a substitute. In January 2003, Martínez joined Swansea City on a short-term contract until the end of the season,[12] becoming the captain and helping to preserve the club's Football League status on the last day of the season. In June 2003, despite reported interest from First Division clubs, Martínez signed a new contract with Swansea.[13] At the start of the 2004–05 season, Martínez was dropped from the squad by manager Kenny Jackett,[14] but fought his way back into the first team, making 37 league appearances as the club won promotion to League One.[15]

In May 2006, Martínez was released by Swansea on a free transfer.[16] Martínez joined Chester City on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract.[17] On 24 February 2007, he returned to Swansea City as manager on a two-year contract, replacing Kenny Jackett, who had let him go at the end of the previous season.[18] This appointment was mostly met positively from the fans, despite him not having any managerial experience.[19] Because his move to Swansea occurred outside the transfer window, Martínez could not register himself to play for the club for the remainder of the season. Although Martínez initially wanted to continue playing football for as long as possible, he soon felt that he would be unable to fully commit to a player-manager role, bringing his playing career to an end at the age of 33.[20][21]

Managerial career

Swansea City

With Martínez in charge, Swansea lost just once in 11 games, giving them a chance of clinching a play-off place on the final day of the 2006–07 season, but missed out following a 6–3 defeat at home against Blackpool.[22] Martínez won his first League One Manager of the Month Award for October 2007 by leading his team to four straight wins in four in the league, including a 5–0 win and a 4–1 win over Leyton Orient and Bournemouth, respectively, away from home.[23] He went on to win the Award consecutively, in December after a thrilling 3–2 win over Leeds United at the Swans' Liberty Stadium, and in January after a second 4–0 win away from home against Doncaster Rovers. He was also nominated for the February prize but lost out to John Ward, manager of Carlisle United. In April 2008, Martínez signed a new contract with Swansea as the club became League One Champions, securing promotion to the Championship, and in May 2008, he was awarded the League One Manager of the Year Award for leading Swansea to the title.[24][25]

The 2008–09 season saw Martínez preside over Swansea's first game in England's second-tier division in 24 years, which began poorly with a 2–0 defeat away at Charlton Athletic. Subsequently, Swansea's form improved and they lost only four games out of the next 30, including a number of key league victories against opponents such as Reading and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Martínez also guided his team to a 2–0 FA Cup win against Premier League side Portsmouth, who were the defending cup holders.[26]

Throughout his time at Swansea, Martínez was often linked with other managerial jobs, but he often stated that he would only leave Swansea as manager if he was "forced out."[27] As his success grew, he publicly criticised players that left the club for money or for larger clubs. In June 2009, both Celtic and Wigan Athletic asked Swansea for permission to speak with Martínez regarding their managerial vacancies, with Wigan being granted the opportunity to hold talks with Martínez.[28][29][30] After several days of negotiations, Martínez was confirmed as the new manager of Wigan on 15 June 2009, taking four backroom staff with him.[6] Martínez signed a three-year contract worth £1.5 million and was assured by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan that his job would be safe for the next three years, even if the club suffered relegation.[31]

Wigan Athletic

Martínez as manager of Wigan Athletic in 2009

Martínez's move to Wigan was not without controversy. Many Swansea fans were upset that he had chosen to leave the club despite his previous comments that he would have to be "forced out" to leave the club, and he was subsequently nicknamed "El Judas" by some fans.[32][33] Martínez explained that his decision had been a difficult one to make, but felt the opportunity to manage in the Premier League at the club where he began his English footballing career was too good to turn down.[34] His first league game as Wigan manager was an away fixture against Aston Villa on 15 August 2009. Wigan won the match 2–0,[35] and was the first season they had won an opening game in the Premier League.[36]

In his first home game at the DW Stadium, however, the team slumped to a 1–0 defeat to newly promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers, and this was followed by a 5–0 defeat against Manchester United, despite being 0–0 at half time. This inconsistency set the tone for Martínez's first season in charge, with home wins against Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, but also a series of heavy defeats. This included a 9–1 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur on 22 November 2009, a club record defeat for Wigan, and the first time that a Premier League side had scored nine goals in a single match since Manchester United beat Ipswich Town 9–0 in 1995.[37]

On 26 October 2010, Martínez faced his former club Swansea in the League Cup. Martínez received a hostile reception from Swansea fans as Wigan won the match 2–0.[33] On 10 June 2011, it was announced that Martínez had turned down an approach from Aston Villa regarding their vacant managerial position.[38]

After a good start to the 2011–12 campaign, Wigan suffered eight straight defeats to leave them at the bottom of the league.[39] Between August and February, Wigan won a mere four games, leading to predictions that relegation to the Championship would be inevitable for Wigan.[39] As the end of the season approached, however, Wigan's form improved dramatically as they recorded wins against Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Newcastle United, among others. This remarkable late rally, which involved seven wins in nine games, led to Wigan finishing 15th in the league — seven points clear of relegation — and also saw Martínez awarded his first Premier League Manager of the Month Award for April 2012.[39]

On 17 May 2012, Wigan chairman Dave Whelan confirmed that Liverpool had been given permission to discuss their managerial vacancy with Martínez. However the job eventually went to Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers.[40] Martínez said that he wished to remain at Wigan in order to create "a legacy" at the club.[41]

On 26 September 2012, Martínez was charged by the FA for comments made after Wigan's 4–0 loss to Manchester United on 15 September 2012. He accused match officials of favouring United at Old Trafford and said that Danny Welbeck should have been sent off.[42]

During the 2012–13 season, Martínez led Wigan through their most successful ever FA Cup campaign as they won it for the first time in the club's history. Wigan's previous best result in the competition had been to reach the quarter-finals; Martínez led Wigan to their first Wembley semi-final after a 3–0 away win against Everton in the quarter-final. Wigan faced Millwall in the semi-final on 13 April 2013, and went on to reach their first ever FA Cup Final with a 2–0 win.[43][44] They played Manchester City on 11 May, and won 1–0 with a goal in the 91st minute from substitute Ben Watson to become the 43rd different club to win the FA Cup.[45]

Just three days after lifting the FA Cup at Wembley though, on 14 May 2013, Martínez's Wigan side were relegated from the Premier League after a 4–1 defeat against Arsenal, having been in the Premier League since promotion in 2005.[46]

Everton

Martínez as manager of Everton in 2013

On 28 May 2013, Wigan chairman Dave Whelan announced that Martínez received permission to speak to Everton about their vacant managerial position.[47] Whelan said that "He (Martínez) feels he's not the man to lead us back into the Premier League".[48] Whelan said Everton chairman Bill Kenwright contacted him a week earlier for permission to speak to Martínez if talks broke down. Whelan said he gave permission "immediately", adding that he expected Everton to pay compensation of around £2 million.[49]

On 5 June 2013, Everton confirmed the appointment of Martínez as the club's 14th manager after agreeing to a four-year contract.[50] Everton also agreed to send a compensation package of around £1.5 million to Wigan.[51] Kenwright had interviewed three candidates within his club, and Martínez was the only candidate who was approached while contracted to another club.[49] Martínez brought four members of his Wigan Athletic backroom staff to Everton, following the departures of various members of David Moyes' previous backroom staff who followed him to Manchester United the same week. Graeme Jones was appointed assistant manager, Iñaki Bergara became goalkeeping coach, Richard Evans was appointed as 'Head of Performance' and former England international footballer Kevin Reeves was appointed head scout.[52]

His first Premier League game in charge of Everton was a 2–2 draw away to Norwich City on 17 August.[53] Martínez's first league win as Everton manager came against Chelsea on 14 September. When Everton beat West Ham United 3–2 in their next game it meant that Martínez became the first ever manager of the club to avoid defeat in his first six games.[54] However, the run did not last as in the next fixture Fulham won 2–1 in the third round of the League Cup.[55]

On 12 April 2014, Martínez led Everton to a 1–0 win away at Sunderland to move Everton up to fourth place in the Premier League and register a club record seventh straight Premier League win which also gave them a club record Premier League points tally with five games remaining.[56]

On 20 April 2014, Everton won 2–0 at Goodison Park to make Martínez the first Everton manager since Harry Catterick in the 1969–70 season to record a league double over Manchester United.[57]

Martínez signed a new five-year contract after the season ended.[58]

Despite finishing 5th last season, Everton's 2014–15 campaign got off to a slow start. By March 2015, Everton had won just one of their last ten matches.[59] A 2–0 defeat to Arsenal resulted in the Blues dropping to 14th, six points above the relegation zone.[60] In the Europa League, Everton advanced to the round of 16, winning 7–2 on aggregate against Young Boys.[61] Martínez's side were however knocked out after a 5–2 thrashing by Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev.[62]

Broadcasting career

Martínez served as a studio analyst for ESPN's coverage of the 2010 World Cup, the 2014 FIFA World Cup as well as the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.[63] He has also been a regular guest on Sky Sports' Spanish football programme Revista de la Liga. In addition to that, he has made several appearances on the BBC's Match of the Day.[10][64]

Personal life

In June 2009, Martínez married his Scottish girlfriend Beth Thompson at St Joseph's Cathedral in Swansea in a traditional Catholic wedding.[65] The couple met in Scotland in 2002, while he was playing for Motherwell.[66] They have a daughter together called Luella.[67]

Whilst playing for Real Zaragoza, Martínez obtained a bachelor's degree in physiotherapy.[1] He also has a postgraduate diploma in business management, which he obtained from Manchester Metropolitan University.[66]

Managerial statistics

As of match played 30 April 2016.[68]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
PWDLWin %
Swansea City 24 February 2007 15 June 2009 126 63 37 26 50.0
Wigan Athletic 15 June 2009 5 June 2013 175 51 47 77 29.1
Everton 5 June 2013 Present 141 61 39 41 43.3
Total 442 175 123 144 39.6

Honours

Player

Real Zaragoza
Wigan Athletic
Swansea City

Manager

Swansea City
Wigan Athletic

Individual

References

General

Specific

  1. 1 2 "Roberto Martinez's seat of learning". The Times (London). 18 October 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2011.(subscription required)
  2. ↑ Martínez. Kicking Every Ball: My Story So Far. p. 106.
  3. ↑ "Match Report Season 1992–93 - Matchday 38". LFP. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
  4. ↑ Martínez. Kicking Every Ball: My Story So Far. p. 108.
  5. ↑ Martínez. Kicking Every Ball: My Story So Far. p. 113.
  6. 1 2 "Wigan finally land boss Martinez". BBC Sport. 15 June 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  7. ↑ "Who Gets Your Vote?". Wigan Athletic F.C. 20 April 2005. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  8. ↑ Martínez. Kicking Every Ball: My Story So Far. pp. 146–147.
  9. 1 2 3 "Aranalde - My mate Martinez deserved it". Cumbria Life. 4 April 2006. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
  10. 1 2 "Martinez joins the Motherwell set". BBC Sport. 3 July 2001. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  11. ↑ "Motherwell axe 19 players". BBC Sport. 29 April 2002. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  12. 1 2 "Saddlers split with Martinez". icBirmingham. 25 January 2003. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
  13. ↑ "Martinez chooses Swansea". BBC Sport. 23 June 2003. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  14. ↑ "Martinez fights for future". BBC Sport. 17 August 2004. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  15. ↑ "Martinez unsure of Swans future". BBC Sport. 15 November 2005. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  16. ↑ "Swansea release skipper Martinez". BBC Sport. 30 May 2006. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  17. ↑ "Chester snap up ex-Swan Martinez". BBC Sport. 29 July 2006. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
  18. ↑ "Martinez appointed Swansea boss". BBC Sport. 24 February 2007. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  19. ↑ Martinez sure of Swansea success BBC Sport, 25 February 2007; Retrieved 30 January 2009
  20. ↑ "Martínez the happy workaholic brings guile to the Gower". The Guardian (London). 14 November 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
  21. ↑ Martínez. Kicking Every Ball: My Story So Far. p. 17.
  22. ↑ "Martinez is the toast of Swansea". BBC Sport. 13 April 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  23. ↑ Scurr, Andrew Martinez lands manager gong Sky Sports, 1 November 2007; Retrieved 30 January 2009
  24. 1 2 3 "Martinez agrees 'improved' deal". BBC Sport. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  25. ↑ "Martinez crowned manager of year". BBC Sport. 13 May 2008. Retrieved 30 January 2009.
  26. ↑ Portsmouth 0–2 Swansea BBC Sport, 24 January 2009; Retrieved 30 January 2009
  27. ↑ "Respected and cultured, Martinez could prove a real coup for Celtic". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 2 June 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  28. ↑ Martinez is Wigan's first choice BBC Sport, 3 June 2009; Retrieved 3 June 2009
  29. ↑ Celtic want Swans boss Martinez BBC Sport, 1 June 2009 Retrieved 3 June 2009
  30. ↑ "Wigan explain Martinez deal delay". BBC Sport. 12 June 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  31. ↑ "Wigan not interested in injury-prone Michael Owen". The Times (London). 17 June 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2011.(subscription required)
  32. ↑ "Roberto Martinez is the fallen hero with Swansea City fans". WalesOnline. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
  33. 1 2 "'El Judas' has the last laugh". Setanta Sports. 26 October 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  34. ↑ "Martinez pleads for forgiveness". BBC Sport. 16 June 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  35. ↑ "Aston Villa 0-2 Wigan". BBC Sport. 15 August 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  36. ↑ "Wigan's Opener Knocked Aston Villa For Six – Martin O'Neill". Goal.com. 15 August 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  37. ↑ "Tottenham 9 – 1 Wigan". BBC Sport. 22 November 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  38. ↑ "Club statement: Roberto Martinez". Aston Villa F.C. 10 June 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  39. 1 2 3 "Roberto Martinez made Manager of the Month". Goal.com. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  40. ↑ "Brendan Rodgers 'no' to Liverpool talks but Roberto Martinez in frame". BBC Sport. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  41. ↑ Jones, Neil (5 June 2012). "Ian Ayre denies Liverpool FC offered Roberto Martinez manager's job". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  42. ↑ "Roberto Martinez charged by FA for comments after Man Utd defeat". BBC Sport. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  43. ↑ McNulty, Phil. "Millwall 0-2 Wigan". BBC Sport.
  44. ↑ "Millwall 0 Wigan Athletic 2: match report". The Daily Telegraph (London). 13 April 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  45. 1 2 "FA Cup final: Manchester City v Wigan". The Independent (London). 11 May 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  46. ↑ "Arsenal 4 Wigan 1". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  47. ↑ "Premier League: Wigan manager Roberto Martinez to leave club". Sky Sports. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  48. ↑ "Roberto Martinez is to leave Wigan and head for Everton talks". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  49. 1 2 Hunter, Andy (28 May 2013). "Roberto Martínez clear to leave Wigan and join Everton". The Guardian (London).
  50. ↑ "Roberto Martínez announced as new Everton manager after agreeing four-year contract". The Daily Telegraph (London). 5 June 2013.
  51. ↑ Joyce, Paul (4 June 2013). "Roberto Martinez switch from Wigan to Everton is sealed". Daily Express (London).
  52. ↑ "Backroom Staff Appointed". Everton F.C. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  53. ↑ "Norwich City 2 Everton 2". The Daily Telegraph (London). 17 August 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  54. ↑ "Everton FC fightback shows plenty of positives for the Blues". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  55. ↑ "Fulham 2–1 Everton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  56. ↑ Bevan, Chris. "Sunderland 0-1 Everton". BBC Sport.
  57. ↑ "Everton 2 Manchester United 0: match report". The Daily Telegraph (London). 20 April 2014.
  58. ↑ "Roberto Martinez: Everton manager signs new five-year contract". BBC Sport. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  59. ↑ Jones, Neil (1 March 2015). "Everton FC are too good to be dragged into relegation battle says Roberto Martinez". Daily Post. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  60. ↑ Whalley, Mike (1 March 2015). "Arsenal 2–0 Everton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  61. ↑ Ladyman, Ian (26 February 2015). "Everton 3-1 Young Boys (agg 7-2): Romelu Lukaku at the double as Roberto Martinez's side cruise into the Europa League last 16". Daily Mail (London). Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  62. ↑ "Dynamo Kiev 5-2 Everton (6-4 agg): Toffees thrashed in Europa League". Sky Sports. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  63. ↑ Roberto Martinez, Studio Analyst, 2010 FIFA World Cup ESPN MediaZone, 6 May 2010
  64. ↑ "Roberto Martinez: Swansea's in-demand manager". The Daily Telegraph (London). 4 June 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  65. ↑ "Roberto Martinez is married in Swansea". Wales Online. 28 June 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  66. 1 2 "El Gaffer: Swansea City manager Roberto Martinez". Wales Online. 22 November 2008. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  67. ↑ "Five things we learned from the Merseyside derby". BBC Sport.
  68. ↑ "Managers: Roberto Martinez". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  69. 1 2 "Roberto Martinez: Everton appoint former Wigan manager". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  70. ↑ "Martinez lands manager gong". Sky Sports. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  71. ↑ "Roberto Martinez". Premier Leagye. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  72. ↑ Ridley, Ian (26 January 2014). "Everton manager Roberto Martinez can write his name in FA Cup history". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 1 October 2015.

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