Nigel Martyn, a revered former Leeds United goalkeeper, recently shared details about the fallout with former Leeds boss Terry Venables that eventually led to his departure from the club in 2003. Martyn, who made 265 appearances for Leeds, was an ever-present figure until he lost the number one spot during his final season.
The tensions arose after Martyn returned from the 2002 World Cup, where he represented England. Upon his return, he was given just 12 days of rest before being called back to pre-season training, unlike his teammates from other clubs who received a full month off. Martyn requested time off, particularly to avoid a trip to Australia, China, and Thailand with the team, explaining that he was exhausted and needed a break to perform at his best.
However, Venables was not sympathetic to Martyn’s request. The manager insisted that Martyn join the trip, warning him that if he refused, he would never play for Leeds again. As a result, Martyn left Leeds for Everton in 2003, where he enjoyed a successful stint before retiring in 2006. His replacement at Leeds was Paul Robinson, who went on to become a senior England international as well.
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