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A Day In The Life Of Roberto Martinez

By Mike Smith March 18, 2015
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Each week (or so), The18's Mike Smith takes a look at how football is portrayed and covered in the media and popular culture. This week, we review the documentary “A Day in the Life: Roberto Martinez.”
Photo: wefollowfutbol.com

Men in Blazers co-host Roger Bennett, the same gent that produced the documentary The Southampton Way is back in this latest documentary from NBC Sports about a day in the life of a Premier League manager as part of its “Premier League Download” series. In order to uncover this information, Bennett traveled to his beloved Everton Football Club to talk with boss Roberto Martinez. After an extremely successful debut season in which Everton qualified for the Europa League, the Toffees have failed to reach the same level this season domestically, as they currently sit 14th in the Barclays Premier League Table.

However, the 30-minute documentary is not focused on Everton’s struggles this season; instead, Bennett interviews Martinez on a wide variety of topics in an attempt to learn more about what it is like to prowl the touchline. As you watch the special, it immediately becomes apparent that there is so much for a manager to worry about on a daily basis. Developing a tactical strategy along with individualized training programs, all while massaging the egos of players that all want to be in the starting 11 is just the start of a manager’s headaches. With the average tenure of a Premier League manager lasting a mere 13.5 months, these gentlemen are under relentless pressure every time their squad takes the pitch from the fans to the media to the Board of Directors.

As is typical of Bennett, there are a few lighter moments, such as when he asks about harassing the 4th official on the sidelines and whether the myth that managers share a bottle of wine together after the match is true (Martinez says sometimes yes, sometimes no). Overall the documentary is a brief, but informative glimpse into these managers that we love to criticize every weekend. I would like to think that the way this special humanized the difficulty of being a Premier League manager means that I will be more understanding and sympathetic the next time there is a substitution or tactical change that I question... but I am a fan. And that would be ridiculous. 

For showtimes of this documentary, check your local listings, or the special can be viewed in its entirety here. 

Follow Mike Smith on Twitter @thefootiegent

Being a Premier League manager in real life looks much harder than it does on FIFA.

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