Everton manager Roberto Martinez has said Howard Kendall’s funeral should inspire his players to present a new generation of footballers and how they should aspire to re-create his achievements at Goodison Park.
Martinez was joined with the entirety of the playing staff, along with academy players, to the service for the 69-year old at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral.
The Toffee’s coach described the memorial as ‘classy and educational’ and he believes that his memories will resonate with his squad.
‘First of all the event was a great moment to reflect on what we are as a football club and our history.’
I think it was a valuable experience for the players, especially the new players that have just arrived and need to get a good insight into what we are as a football club.’
The former Wigan Athletic coach said that it give the football club the belief that they have done well in the past and said ‘why can we not do it now?’
The Spanish manager said that he felt personally moved by the tributes that people gave to Kendall. Thousands of people paid their respects to the former Blues-manager, Martinez also added:
‘It was a proud moment to be involved in Everton for everyone. There was the respectful nature of the event towards Howard Kendall’s career and the human quality that he had.’
Martinez also mentioned how Kendall set examples of what managers should be like and what players should look up to.
‘The dream he had, the vision of winning the league and becoming a leading club in Europe, came from nothing and that is inspirational itself.’
The coach went on to say how Kendall set a clear path for Everton, but how there is still hard work to complete.
Everton play Sunderland at Goodison Park tomorrow, Sunderland won their first league match of the season against rivals Newcastle last week in the Tyne-Wear derby.
