Everton fire Roberto Martinez and Frank de Boer is the favorite to replace him

After his second straight disappointing season, Roberto Martinez has been fired by Everton. The club had an awards dinner scheduled for Thursday and play at home on Sunday, so they did the humane thing and fired him quickly, preventing him from having to go through either of those things.

Everton’s 3-0 loss to Sunderland on Wednesday was one of the worst of Martinez’s tenure. His fate was likely sealed before then, but that result made it so he wasn’t even going to be able to see out the rest of the season. Martinez guided Everton to fifth in an incredible first season at the club, but has produced his second-straight bottom-half year despite big expectations.

On the same day that Martinez was fired, Ajax announced that manager Frank de Boer has left the club. It took no time at all for his agent to tell the press that de Boer is interested in managing Everton. So, there’s your leader in the clubhouse for Martinez’s replacement. On Sky Bet, de Boer is a big favorite over Manuel Pellegrini, Mark Hughes, Ronald Koeman and David Moyes.

This bicycle kick winner by Blas Perez. (r/soccer)

Columbus Crew SC have traded Kei Kamara to the New England Revolution for no players, but an enormous haul of assets. (Columbus Dispatch)

Tottenham Hotspur have extended Mauricio Pochettino’s contract while promoting him from head coach to manager. (Cartilage Free Captain)

Borussia Dortmund have won the battle for 18-year-old wonderkid Ousmane Dembele. (BVB)

Cristiano Ronaldo makes more money than Lionel Messi. (Forbes)

John Terry will reportedly be told he doesn’t have a place at Chelsea anymore. This is contrary to previous reports that the two sides were talking about a new deal. (Guardian)

Apparently, Javier Mascherano called Neymar selfish. (AS)

Jack Wilshere says “time is on his side” to prove his fitness for England, despite Arsenal having one game left. (Mirror)

From the rumor mill: James Rodriguez might have gone to Italy to visit with Juventus. (Football Italia)

Craig Williams on rugby’s role in influencing Atlético Madrid. (In Bed With Maradona)

Ted Knutson on Manchester United getting worse and worse. (Stats Bomb)

Charles Ducksbury on Sheffield Wednesday’s ascent to the promotion playoffs. (The Set Pieces)

Sunderland won, ensuring their safety, as well as the relegation of Newcastle and Norwich. (Roker Report)

There was a scary moment in Whitecaps-Fire when Masato Kudo collided with the goalkeeper and needed to go to the hospital.

You can find full highlights of Wednesday’s MLS games here. (MLS)

Monterrey beat rivals Tigres in the first leg of their Liguilla quarterfinal, while Leon drew Morelia. (FMF State of Mind)

Copa Libertadores: Two games (from 6:30 p.m.) -- Boca vs. Nacional might be the better match, but the atmosphere at Rosario Central should be incredible.

Liga MX: Two games (from 8 p.m.) -- Chivas vs. America is rarely any good, but watch it anyway, in case it’s wild.