Roberto Martinez has said he does not envy Brendan Rodgers’s job or transfer budget at Liverpool as he is “allowed to work” in his own way at Everton. Martinez, who manages Everton in a Merseyside derby for the first time today, attracted interest from Liverpool and several other clubs while at Wigan Athletic before cutting his ties with the DW Stadium in the summer.
Liverpool principal owner John W Henry held talks with him in Miami in 2012 about succeeding Kenny Dalglish as manager, only for Rodgers ultimately to land the job. Liverpool have insisted that Rodgers was the only person offered the position, although Martinez’s interest is believed to have cooled when informed he had to work as part of a management “committee” at Anfield.
The Everton manager refused to divulge details of his conversation with Henry but did admit to enjoying the “responsibility” and freedom he receives at Goodison Park.
Asked why a Wigan manager would not take the Liverpool job, Martinez said: “It was many things. I always value human relationships and I had one with the chairman at Wigan, and we had the commitment to carry on for another season that ended with Wigan winning a major trophy. You make decisions based on feelings.
“Things happen for a reason. I do feel that was the case, not just with Liverpool but with other clubs because I could have left Wigan earlier than that season. Everything fell into place with Everton and everything’s been very natural.”
Martinez claims to have no lingering regret over joining a club without the financial power of their local rivals, believing his role as manager to be more important. He said: “Money allows you to get things done overnight but I don’t think money is necessarily what you need to be successful. You need to be creative, patient and to have a clear idea of what you are going to do without the money. I don’t think money is the key to finding football happiness.”
Rodgers believes it will take time for Martinez to implement at Everton the passing philosophy. "It certainly takes time for a player to understand that, in this way of working, the most courageous players are the ones who take the ball 20 yards from their own goal," he said. "Not the guys at the top end of the field."
Guardian Service
