Despite his best efforts on Wednesday night to convince journalists that he wasn’t facing the sack, Roberto Martinez parted ways with Everton yesterday after an abysmal season at the club.

The 3-0 defeat to Sunderland, which saw the Black Cats avoid relegation, proved to be the final nail in Martinez’s coffin.

Expectations were sky high when he replaced David Moyes three seasons ago, saying that when he first met chairman Bill Kenwright he told him he would bring Champions League football to the club.

That proved to be easier said than done, with the club languishing in 12th, 21 points off fourth and only 10 points above relegated Newcastle in 18th when the former Wigan boss was sacked.

The recent protests at Goodison Park would have played a major role in the club’s decision, with Martinez guiding the club to two semi-finals this season.

And the ongoing criticism regarding his failure to get the best out of the likes of record-signing Romelu Lukaku and promising English youngsters Ross Barkley and John Stones was also a growing concern for new owner Farhad Moshiri.

Ajax manager Frank de Boer’s announcement yesterday morning that he was leaving the club after six years has seen him linked with the now vacant Everton job, though his agent has played down talk of De Boer making the move to the Premier League just yet.

Everton finish their season on Sunday at home against relegated Norwich.