The Mastermind Behind Emiliano Martinez’s Rise to Prominence
Aston Villa’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, is set to make a potentially emotional return to Old Trafford, a stadium that holds significant memories for the 32-year-old. As the Argentine prepares to consider his future at the end of the season, former Villa goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler sheds light on his remarkable role in Martinez’s development.
The big moment that sparked Martinez’s infamous mind games was during a crucial match against Manchester United in 2021. Cutler reveals that Martinez’s antics began when Manchester United were awarded a late penalty. “Emi said to Ronaldo, ‘no, I want you to take it, he’s rubbish,’” Cutler explains. “We knew we could get into Fernandes’s head because of how emotional he can get. Fernandes then missed, and that’s where it all started. Emi realized he could talk people out of their game and put them off.” This moment marked the beginning of Martinez’s transformation into one of the most feared goalkeepers in the Premier League.
Cutler’s unorthodox approach to coaching involved building strong relationships with his players. He would engage in daily conversations with Martinez, discussing everything from the goalkeeper’s development to his personal life. “I’m big on building relationships quickly to help players progress in every aspect,” Cutler says. This approach allowed them to understand each other perfectly, and Martinez was able to thrive under Cutler’s guidance. Their daily conversations helped to establish a deep trust between the two, which was essential in Martinez’s development.
The trust between Cutler and Martinez was a key factor in the goalkeeper’s success. Cutler’s influence on Martinez extended beyond the training pitch, where he worked on the goalkeeper’s posture, confidence, and mental toughness. “We worked on how you can portray confidence to the point of arrogance,” Cutler reveals. “We worked a lot on his posture, how he walks, how he talks, so it always seemed like he’s the best goalkeeper in the world.” Martinez took to this approach like a duck to water, and it’s clear that Cutler’s guidance has had a lasting impact on his career.
The impact of Cutler’s coaching on Martinez’s career is undeniable. The goalkeeper’s rise to prominence is a testament to the effectiveness of their partnership. With Cutler’s guidance, Martinez has become one of the most feared goalkeepers in the Premier League, known for his exceptional shot-stopping and mind games. As Martinez considers his future, it’s clear that his time at Aston Villa has been a defining period in his career. The memories he has made at the club, both on and off the pitch, will stay with him forever.
Cutler’s legacy at Aston Villa extends beyond Martinez’s development. His unorthodox approach to coaching has shown that building strong relationships with players can lead to remarkable success. As Martinez looks to the future, it’s clear that the lessons he learned from Cutler will stay with him for the rest of his career. The partnership between Cutler and Martinez is a shining example of how the right coach-player relationship can lead to greatness.
