Pity Martinez reveals frustration with Frank de Boer, tactical role during Argentine radio interview

Pity Martinez scored what stood as the game-winning goal during Atlanta United’s 2-0 win over Saint Louis FC in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday. Even with that, he declined requests to speak with reporters after the match.

That didn’t keep him from appearing on FOX Sports Argentina on Thursday, where he made some remarks about his role with the club and his relationship with manager Frank de Boer. Martinez said that if it were up to him, he would probably still be at his former club, River Plate. Both Frank de Boer and club president Darren Eales spoke publicly this week stating that rumors of Martinez returning to the Buenos Aires club are unfounded.

Here’s the tweet that set off the firestorm Thursday evening:

Fox Sports Argentina later published Pity Martinez’s full quote, which states (as translated by Google):

“There are no chances of going back to River, they draw conclusions from where there are none, and they make people hope, people sent me thousands of messages and I thank them, if it were for me, I would be at River, but there are differences with the technician. It does not happen of that.

Martinez also discussed Frank de Boer and the Atlanta manager, saying that he didn’t agree with the ideas and tactical style employed by the Dutchman. He shared his displeasure with comments de Boer made to the media after a 3-3 draw with the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, where de Boer appeared to call into question the 26-year-old’s effort and work-rate. However, Martinez did add that he didn’t have to return to River even with his difference with de Boer.

Martinez is scheduled to speak to Atlanta media at the team’s training facility tomorrow. Dirty South Soccer will continue to provide updates as more details of the interview become available.