Martinez excited for Goodison Park bow

Everton manager Roberto Martinez is relishing the thought of the “proud” moment when he takes charge of his first home game this weekend.

Real Betis provide the opposition on Sunday in Everton’s final pre-season game as Martinez prepares for his Goodison Park bow, following his managerial move from Wigan Athletic.

Joining a club of Everton’s stature marks a significant step for the Spaniard, who guided Wigan to FA Cup success last term, and it is a challenge he is determined to savour.

“Of course I’ll be a proud man,” Martinez told the Liverpool Echo.

“It’s going to be something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

He continued: “It’s about what we do in terms of our final preparations for the season.

“About helping each other and continuing to test partnerships and combinations. It’s also about helping each other and being patient because there are many things which are going to take time.

“The supporters have been magnificent so far and that togetherness is important and I can’t wait to feel that at Goodison Park.”

Everton start the new Premier League season at Norwich City a week on Saturday, with Martinez keen to stress that he has yet to formalise his starting XI for the game at Carrow Road.

“It’s too early to say the team I name will be the team for Norwich,” he added.

“We’re still looking for those partnerships. I’ve got a lot of information from the (pre-season tour to the) USA.

“We’ve done well and because we’ve played top sides we’ve been punished when we’ve made mistakes. I want to see the players competing for places and we’ll see where they are in terms of form before we decide about Norwich

“It’s going to be an important work-out. It will be good to say ‘hi’ to the fans because our first Premier League game is away from home. Hopefully it goes well and we can have a successful time together.”