By North-west correspondent Alex Stevens
Everton are due to hold a board meeting on Friday to discuss the future of manager Roberto Martinez, according to a report.
The Spaniard is on the brink of the sack following a season that has failed to live up to expectations at Goodison Park.
According to the Telegraph, Martinez could be dismissed next week if the meeting of the directors and Saturday’s Premier League game against Bournemouth go badly for Martinez.
It is said the decision has been taken at the top of the club to axe Martinez, barring a major U-turn.
The Telegraph claim majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright are expected to be present at the meeting.
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Supporters have held banners calling for Martinez to go at recent games and backed Leighton Baines after the left-back was forced to apologise to his manager for saying the Everton side lacked ‘chemistry’. More protests are planned for Saturday.
Everton are 11th place in the Premier League table after taking just three points from the last 21 available and were defeated by Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley last Saturday.
The Toffees already face a major battle to hang on to star trio Romelu Lukaku, John Stones and Ross Barkley this summer and keeping Martinez on would make that task even more difficult.
Martinez succeeded David Moyes as Everton manager in 2013 after winning the FA Cup in the same year he could not prevent Wigan from being relegated.
During the unveiling of Martinez as Everton manager three years ago, Kenwright revealed that his first words had been to promise to get the club into the Champions League.
In other Everton news, a shock contender has emerged to replace Martinez at the helm.
