Martinez: sacked

Roberto Martinez’s three-year spell in charge of Everton is over, Everton confirmed on Thursday as they also simultaneously cancelled a planned end of season award scheduled for today.

The Spaniard has come under increasing criticism this season after a mediocre Premier League season that has left them 12th in the table. And fans of the club had planned to stage a demonstration at the awards venue asking for his sack.

According to the reports, Martinez failed to take training on Thursday ahead of the final game of the season against Norwich City on Sunday while the BBC and Sky Sports television said he had been sacked.

Everton later cleared the air with the statement on their website:

‘Following the departure of Roberto Martinez, the club’s end of season awards, due to be held at St George’s Hall tonight, has been postponed.

‘Roberto has shown great commitment and dignity throughout his time at Everton and the club feels it should reciprocate by rescheduling the event. The club hopes that those due to attend would agree that the planned celebration would be inappropriate in the circumstances.

‘We appreciate that many people will be disappointed but we hope there will also be an understanding of why this decision was taken.

‘The club will invite all who had planned to attend to an event before the start of next season at which players and club officials will also be in attendance.

‘The club will contact all guests as soon as possible and will provide rearranged details as soon as they become known.’

The team reached the semi-finals of the League Cup and FA Cup but Martinez’s side have under-performed in the league despite boasting a squad many regard as Everton’s best for many years.

Everton have won just one of their last 10 league games and some fans turned on the manager after they lost 4-0 to local rivals Liverpool last month.

Martinez gained a reputation for an attractive football style in previous stints at Swansea City and Wigan Athletic.

He won the FA Cup with Wigan but the club were also relegated in the same season before he joined Everton in 2013, taking over from David Moyes.

Everton finished fifth in his first season in charge but struggled to back that up last term when they were down in 11th.

They have managed only five home league wins this season.