Everton boss Roberto Martinez could be next 'big time' manager
When former Everton boss David Moyes left for Manchester United and they replaced him with the then Wigan Manager, Roberto Martinez, many said it was a bad move, but in a little under a year, they've been made to more than eat their words. Martinez said his team could qualify for the Champions League, when many said he'd be lucky to keep them in the Premier League. With the season coming to a close, he's definitely enjoying the last laugh, as his team have endless of possibilities to achieve within the coming weeks.
Many are expecting them to have a blip this season, but with its end in sight, it seems they aren't going to have one. Their recent away 3-1 victory against Fulham has added yet more confidence to the already impressive team. Martinez has created a huge amount of confidence, so much that his players are not afraid of anybody, and they are allowed to play with the creative freedom many managers forbid, reminiscent of childhood soccer one would play in a park.
American goalkeeper Tim Howard appears to be loving life, and hints that things are better now than ever before in his career. The American shot-stopper said "You have to do this 40 weeks of the year, it is nice not to come into work every day thinking 'Oh, that's looming ahead'. The manager keeps us bright and bubbly and focused on ourselves. Not always having to look over your shoulder at who is coming next is good. We work on ourselves and it's a difference. We'll train on trying to exploit them, as opposed to 'Here is what they are going to do to hurt us and this is what we are going to do to defend against them'. That is not in the manager's nature."
Judging by the goalkeeper's words, it's clear to see what the Everton players think about their latest manager. They love, idolize and respect him and they've more than bought in to his vision, they've added to it. Many would still laugh of Everton finishing the season with a bang, but they look likely to do just that, and most certainly Martinez is a top contender for the manager of the year award.