While there is no proof that Romelu Lukaku’s ‘head in hands’ shot from Wayne Rooney’s testimonial has anything to do with Roberto Martinez’s appointment as Belgium’s national team manager, it certainly makes for a good story.
Still managing to perform under the Spaniard, the Belgian striker, however, isn’t the only one who might be unhappy at the appointment (if he is at all), as a fellow compatriot and Everton player has more to worry about.
Kevin Mirallas, who all but disappeared from the first-team last season after a failed transfer away from Merseyside, missed out on Euro 2016, and his chances of reintegrating the Belgium setup seem slim to none now; a concern shared by his father, as explained in an interview with DH.
José Mirallas took to the national newspaper to open up about what happened between his son and the ex-Everton manager.
He said: “It was only last year. It really wasn’t going well. Kevin and him (Martinez) didn’t get along anymore.”
The club stopped him from changing club, “and that’s when the relationship completely changed. Something broke. Martinez wasn’t very tolerating. Either you’re with him or you’ve got a problem.”
Even when Mirallas was called upon and performed, the Belgian winger struggled to regain a first-team spot, which ultimately cost him regarding his national team.
However, his father made it clear his son would never give up, and would give it his all for Everton this year under Ronald Koeman.
If that gets him back into the Belgium squad, “great”. If it doesn’t? “So be it. Kevin will never stop working hard.”
