Bill Kenwright and Roberto Martinez face the press at Goodison Park
Sky Bet
-
Football Betting
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright says that Roberto Martinez aims to make the club qualify for the Champions League.
Martinez has succeeded David Moyes, who guided the Toffees into Europe's elite club competition once in his 11 years on Merseyside, after the Scot replaced Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
Kenwright compared his first meeting with Martinez to his first with Moyes in March 2002, when Everton were in danger of relegation.
"We were in a bad state, and David's first words were 'you're not going down," said Kenwright. "Almost Roberto's first words to me were, 'I'll get you in the Champions League'.
"That is extraordinary for a man who doesn't know much about the club from the inside but had obviously studied the club.
"He recognised the massive achievement David Moyes has made. He understands the game, he understands Everton, the history, our players and what he wants to do."
Kenwright also revealed that he spoke to three of Moyes' back-room staff before settling on Martinez.
"Three lads from this club - Alan Stubbs, Phil Neville and David Weir - shared their passion with me, and that was humbling and awe-inspiring. I wish 50,000 Evertonians could have been there for all these meetings, but all 50,000 would have turned round and said 'him' when it came to Roberto."
Players committed
There has been speculation that a number of Everton players will follow Moyes out of the club, but Kenwright was adamant that no-one has approached him about leaving.
"We all know there are players who have got an escape clause, but the others are not for sale," he added. "I'm as in love with this squad as any Evertonian out there. They have worked massively hard and we don't want them to go.
Roberto has their phone numbers and he will be on to them, telling them we don't want them to go. Not one person has even half-indicated to me that the change (of manager) will mean a change for them.
"It was exactly the opposite, they all seem totally committed so I am confident that the squad plus some Roberto signings will form this football club's squad for next season."
Source : http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11671/8758836/Roberto-Martinez-aiming-to-take-Everton-into-the-Champions-League
No comments :
Post a Comment