09 June 2023 , 08:42
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Roberto Martinez has opened up on the saga that saw him come close to taking charge at Liverpool before eventually ending up at Everton 12 months later.
The Spanish boss was in charge at Wigan when the Reds sacked Kenny Dalglish at the end of the 2011/12 campaign. Eventually, Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers was employed in his place, but only after talks had been held with Martinez.
The 49-year-old can argue that the fact a move to Anfield didn't materialise was beneficial, as just 12 months late he savoured his finest hour as a club manager. The Latics famously beat Manchester City at Wembley to win the FA Cup, courtesy of Ben Watson's late header.
But the club were also relegated from the Premier League that season, and Martinez duly left to take over at Goodison Park. Three mixed years followed, leading the club into the Europa League and two domestic cup semi finals, before he parted ways with the club amid fan discontent over his style of play and management.
And now he's reflected on how he could have ended up on the red side of Merseyside: "There were a lot of talks at the end of every season at Wigan and, in 2012, there were some conversations with Liverpool," he told Four Four Two .
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"From the beginning, myself and Dave Whelan had always spoken about a four-year plan, and we both believed we had to stick together and see the job through. Even if there were conversations with Liverpool, it was never going to happen."
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His words somewhat contrast the recollection of his eccentric chairman 11 years ago, who at the time claimed Martinez had initially been the first choice of Liverpool and publicly issued deadlines for a deal to be negotiated. After Rodgers was confirmed in the role, club captain Steven Gerrard told reporters: "Forget what Dave Whelan says, he (Rodgers) was the first choice."
In 2016, Martinez took charge of Belgium, but despite leading them to the 2018 World Cup semi finals, failed to deliver an international trophy with what was dubbed a 'golden generation'. He left the role after the 2022 tournament in Qatar, and in January was announced as the new head coach of Portugal.
His first two games in charge have yielded two Euro 2024 qualification wins, and Martinez has also vowed to continue the international career of captain Cristiano Ronaldo. The icon's future appeared in doubt after losing his place in the starting XI in Qatar.