Mixed fortunes in England

The top flight of English football has been taken by storm with the fairy tale of Leicester City this season, however the fates of three Spanish bosses look set to form an interesting subplot to the end of the year.

Roberto Martinez has endured a hellish campaign at Goodison Park this term, and his affable friendliness has begun to wear off amongst many Evertonians, rendering him vulnerable to criticism.

And negativity has hounded the former Wigan Athletic boss all season, as the Blues have lurched from mediocrity to insipid surrender, with Martinez seemingly unable to turn it around.

For a club so steeped in its traditions of fan involvement, the message from Toffees fans is clear – they want Martinez gone.

The final shielding factor for Martinez appears to be his enduring and unique relationship with avuncular Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright, who refuses to deal Martinez his death knell.

Martinez looks increasingly likely to leave the club this summer, with his reputation tarnished, in some regards unfairly, however his positive image within England means he is unlikely to unemployed for too long. 

Down in the peaceful suburbia of Watford, Quique Sanchez Flores appears to be suffering from the opposite problem to Martinez, dealing with an owner that has apparently lost faith in him, but with no clear reason.

Flores’ appointment as head Coach of Watford in June 2015 did in truth come about in odd circumstances, replacing Slavisa Jokanovic, despite the Yugoslavian securing Watford’s unlikely Premier League promotion.

However from there the former Real Madrid defender has exceeded expectations at Vicarage Road, pushing the team to a respectable 12th in the table and an FA Cup semi-final.

But despite a promising debut season in England, Flores’ position is reportedly under threat from the club's trigger happy owner Gino Pozzo.

Whilst Flores has remained cagey on talk of his exit, the club have officially stated that his future will discussed at the end of the season, irrespective of his noteworthy performance.

Pozzo, who also owns Udinese and Granada, has been criticised for his apparent willingness to dismiss Flores, but criticism is unlikely to deter the notoriously single minded Italian.

Should a departure be suggested, Flores will leave, due to his pride and the knowledge that he would be welcome back in Spain.

The only other Spanish boss in the Premier League this term is Rafa Benitez, in his heralded return to England, with Newcastle. Benitez’s performance and legacy at St James’ Park will be decided by the next week's results, and whether or not he can save the club from relegation.

However his unwavering ability to win over another initially sceptical English fan base has continued at Newcastle. With just two defeats since his arrival in March, Benitez has steered the club from certain relegation to within a fighting chance of survival.

Given that Newcastle’s safety is intrinsically linked with that of rivals Sunderland it does add extra spice to the situation, but Benitez is well liked on Tyneside after helping re-establish the club's self-respect. That said, his future is tied to that of Martinez – if Sunderland beat his compatriot’s Everton on Wednesday, Newcastle will be relegated.

La Liga - Club News