Former Everton manager Roberto Martinez has been reflecting on his time on Merseyside ahead of his World Cup journey with Portugal next year.
The Spaniard is just one of the managers who have departed Everton and gone on to have a successful career elsewhere.
Martinez is now nine years removed from Merseyside having spent three seasons managing the Blues at Goodison Park.
The Toffees finished that season in 11th spot in the Premier League table and made it to the FA Cup semi-final.
There is some irony in that as Everton fans would have dreamed for a season like that over recent years.
Martinez thinks Everton can push on this season with David Moyes at the helm now.
He has since delved into the world of international management, where he has recently looked back on his career with Everton.
Portugal v Armenia - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier
Photo by Miguel Lemos/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Roberto Martinez thinks he needed more time at Everton
Gerard Deulofeu thinks Everton weren’t far off greatness under Martinez, with a couple of good signings potentially enough to get the Blues over the line.
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Ultimately, the decision to sack him is one they may look back on with regret after appointing Ronald Koeman as their permanent replacement.
Speaking on the Beast Mode On podcast, the Portugal manager has shared his wish for a little more time on Merseyside.
“For me totally, I felt that we were very close. Probably we were one window away as it happens in the Premier League,” Martinez said.
“I think we were one window away to be able to win silverware. You got two semi-finals. We already finished fifth.
“I think you get to a point that sometimes you have to compromise a little bit to finish sixth or finish 11th.
“For me in the Premier League, that’s not a difference if that’s going to help you to be strong.”
Martinez still has praise for Seamus Coleman, who was playing for the Spaniard during his days in the Goodison Park dugout.
Given the way in which Everton have struggled over recent years, there may be some regret in hindsight over sacking Martinez.
But hindsight is a wonderful thing after all.
Roberto Martinez’s record as Everton manager
Cristiano Ronaldo has hailed Martinez as an ‘extraordinary’ manager from their time together with the Portuguese national side.
It is almost a decade since the 52-year-old was moved on from Merseyside, where he has gone on to manage both Belgium and Portugal.
Martinez’s stint at Everton may have ended with four defeats in the last five Premier League games, but he held a solid record with the Blues.
Roberto Martinez @ Everton Total
Appearances 143
Wins 62
Draws 37
Losses 44
Points per game 1.56
Not all the Everton players enjoyed playing under him, with Sylvain Distin admitting he lost respect for Martinez.
However, the Portugal manager still has a lot of positive things to say about his time as the manager at Goodison Park.
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