Everton secure Roberto Martínez’s services for another five years

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/12/everton-robert-martinez-five-year-contract

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Everton have moved quickly to reward Roberto Martínez for his impressive first season at Goodison Park by securing their manager on a new five-year contract.

Martínez guided Everton to a fifth-place finish on 72 points, the club’s highest total in the Premier League era, while introducing a new style of adventurous play in his first campaign since replacing David Moyes.

His impact prompted links with clubs other months but the former Wigan manager, who is in Brazil as an ESPN commentator at the World Cup, has swiftly agreed to extend his Everton contract.

“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to make a further commitment to Everton,” Martínez said. “I loved my first season at the club. I could not be more proud of the way Everton performed throughout the entire season and the memories we were able to make together.

“I am really excited about next season. I knew from the moment I arrived at Everton that this was a special place and I’d like to thank everyone associated with the club: the board, all the staff, the players and our brilliant supporters for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to build on the traditions and success of this great club.”

Everton’s chairman, Bill Kenwright, who brought Martínez to the club, said: “In many commentators’ eyes, Roberto Martínez is the best young manager in Europe. We agree. He took on an unfamiliar challenge for most managers, to take something really good and make it even better.

“In his debut season he broke our Premier League record points haul, got us back into Europe and developed some of the most exciting young footballers in the game.

“He conducts himself off the pitch in the same way. He undertakes his business with great style, confidence, positivity and class. He is an Everton man.”