L’Équipe are reporting that Carles Martinez Novell is becoming increasingly isolated as manager at Toulouse FC with Thijs Dallinga vocal in his frustration over the weekend.
Martinez Novell’s job is not at immediate risk. The Spaniard was promoted to manager after the shock sacking of Philippe Montanier at the end of last season. The Frenchman left Le TéFéCé, despite leading the club to safety following promotion to Ligue 1 and despite winning the Coupe de France.
The change is yet to pay off. Whilst Toulouse are doing well in the UEFA Europa League and are on course to qualify from their group, they sit 14th in Ligue 1 and are just one point above the relegation play-off place, currently occupied by FC Lorient. With just two victories in 14 Ligue 1 matches this season, all eyes are now on Martinez Novell.
The Spaniard is even facing a public mutiny with Dallinga, who came on and scored against Lorient at the weekend, criticising his manager’s choice to leave him out of the starting XI. “I am very frustrated to be on the bench. I’m still asking myself why, but when I come on, I have to be professional and score to help the team. That’s what I did and I can’t do much more,” said the striker, who recently became a Dutch international.
Martinez Novell has a job on his hands, not only to get domestic results moving back in the right direction but also to calm the tensions that clearly exist within his squad.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
