Martinez heading to Wigan

Swansea boss set to be confirmed as Latics manager

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 4th June 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Martinez heading to Wigan

Martinez: Heading to Wigan

I am delighted, and I know the whole of Wigan will be excited to think we are getting one of the 'Three Amigos' back again.

Dave Whelan.
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Sky Bet have suspended betting on the next Wigan manager, with Swansea's Roberto Martinez appearing to be in pole position. Sky Bet's Mike Triffitt said: "Now that Swansea have given Martinez permission, it looks a done deal. He was the obvious favourite being an ex-Wigan player and it was only the fact that he was being talked about for next Celtic manager that stopped him from being odds on at the start." To see all Sky Bet's manager specials and transfer specials click here.

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Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is certain that Roberto Martinez will be confirmed as the club's new manager in the next 24 hours.

The Latics have been given permission to open talks with the Swansea boss to fill their hotseat following the departure of Steve Bruce to Sunderland.

Liberty Stadium supremo Huw Jenkins granted Wigan's request to approach their highly-rated manager once a settlement package, believed to be in the region of £2million was agreed.

Former Latics favourite Martinez, one of the club's famed 'Three Amigos', is now set to hold talks with chief executive Brenda Spencer to finalise his switch to the Premier League side.

Done deal

Whelan told Sky Sports News: "I think it will be a done deal, definitely, by this time tomorrow. It's just a case of Roberto meeting our chief executive and getting the deal signed off.

"We've now been given permission by Swansea to speak to Roberto, our chief executive Brenda Spencer is talking to him this afternoon and hopefully the deal will all be concluded by tomorrow morning.

"I think the chairman at Swansea has realised that football is a cruel game. Sometimes you don't want to lose a manager - I didn't want to lose Steve Bruce but things move on.

"I am delighted, and I know the whole of Wigan will be excited to think we are getting one of the 'Three Amigos' back again."

Whelan confirmed the Spaniard was his top choice for the post on Wednesday and is confident that he will use the extensive contacts in his homeland to bring new faces to the newly-named DW Stadium.

He said: "I've watched his career and he produces players on the park who play football from back to front. I like what I've seen and I'm really excited we've got Roberto back to Wigan.

"He understands the Spanish league fantastically well, and I suspect he will be bringing one or two Spanish lads back in to Wigan.

"We have some money that is required to replace players and Roberto will be given the funds to replace the players that we need."

Priority

Whelan's main target for the coming season is again for Wigan to retain their Premier League status and remain part of England's elite.

He also expects Martinez to bring in a number of his own backroom staff from Wigan after Bruce was joined at the Black Cats by Eric Black, Nigel Spink and Keith Bertschin.

He added: "The priority at Wigan is always the same, you've got to stay in the Premier League. We, along with 10 or 11 other teams, our number one priority is to stay in the league and that is exactly what I will tell Roberto.

"Steve has taken quite a lot of our staff with him, which they always do, we understand that.

"I expect Roberto will be bringing two, three or four of his staff with him, but that will all be agreed by tomorrow evening."

Comments (32)

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J. B. (Liverpool fan) says...

I know some Swansea fans are questioning his loyalty but remember this, the club are being offered a compensation package, therefore it is possible he has been pressured by the club to leave as they could possibly use the cash to improve the team. Good move for both teams in my opinion.

Posted 08:41 6th June 2009

Gwilym Davies (Swansea City fan) says...

The contract is not yet signed so roberto is at the moment still swansea city's manager. The man has done alot for this club (swansea) and i hope he stays at the liberty as he has a better place to live at the mo and he is the manager to take swansea to the prem me and every swansea fan hopes roberto stayes with the swans

Posted 01:00 6th June 2009

Markus Coverdale (Hull City fan) says...

This is great for Roberto, for Wigan & for Football in general. He came to play for Wigan when they were in the bottom league in Professional English football. He took a risk on them then and it's good to see that they are now willing to take a risk on him now. I like to see that he has returned to Wigan and I'm sure that the fans are happy to see him back after proving that he's a good manager in the lower leagues. I hope that he works out to more like Moyes than Ince.

Posted 21:50 5th June 2009

Steve Bannister (Swansea City fan) says...

Fair play to Roberto. You brought some pride and plaudits to our club and I can't find it in myself to begrudge you this bigger opportunity. We have still got a terrific squad with Jason Scotland, Rangel, Bodde and the exceptional Ashley Williams at the heart of it and we owe this to you. Thanks for all you did for Swansea City and good luck at Wigan.

Posted 18:39 5th June 2009

Davie Soanes (Arsenal fan) says...

I'm suprised, Yes a Wigan favourite, Yes his Swansea side played attractive, Yes he loves the club but i just can't help thinking he will be a manager that will conslidate Wigan nothing more than that a big chance it could be less. Many Wigan fans will disagree i am sure that this is a unpredictable move, the last thing they want is a legend at the club becoming the forgotten man if things don't pay off. I think the decision has been made with one's heart rather than one's head. I reckon the possibility of Jason Scotland playing in the Premier League has become alot more likely now.

Posted 13:55 5th June 2009

Matt Phillips (Birmingham City fan) says...

Jon Hall - if you think Wigan ended up with Birmingham's best players your dillusional! De Ridder couldn't make the side, Kapo was frustrating and hardly played, Heskey couldn't hit a barn door! Now if he'd taken Seb Larsson and the like then you might have had a point.

Posted 12:58 5th June 2009

Daz Coates (Burnley fan) says...

Commitment in football is very rare, It seems to me that if a manager commits himself fully to a football club then he has the respect of players and fans alike. Football shouldn't just be about following the money. swansea are quite capable of reaching the Prem with hard work and determination. Take a leaf out of Owen Coyles book and make good what you have. The plaudits will come in thick and fast...Time is on your side.

Posted 12:35 5th June 2009

Richard Manley says...

I believe Roberto is not ready for this move. As much as i admire Wigan and all they've done. They have not got the resources to enable Roberto to Buy the Quality players he needs to give them the status and quick turn around they look for. so it will take him at least 18months to 2 years to recreate the style and qaulity of football that have made swansea the team they currently are. will wigan be prepared to wait that long. wheras if he were to stay at swansea for another couple of seasons and continued his appenticeship he would have raised the bar for larger clubs to come in for him with money to spend. having said that i wish him the very best of luck should he choose to go.

Posted 12:30 5th June 2009

Alan Pritchard (cardiff fan) says...

Martinez has proved that he is committed to playing football Martinez has proved that he can produce a team that plays good football. He has the contacts within the game (spanish) to succeed in the Prem, As a Cardiff fan i'm glad he's gone, and the next time i want see him is when he brings wigan to Cardiff in the Prem

Posted 10:43 5th June 2009

Bob Martinez (Wigan Athletic fan) says...

He comes from Catalonia, Hes still a Wiganer! Roberto! Ohheyyohh Roberto! Ohheyyohh

Posted 10:41 5th June 2009

Shaun Jones (cardiff city fan) says...

Bye Bye Roberto!!!! HAHAHA Swansea are going down!! Cheerio Cheerio Cheerio!!! Get ready Swansea, to be thrashed by Cardiff next season!!

Posted 10:34 5th June 2009

Sinclair Neil says...

Each manager seems to be only as good as their last game. I think that he blew our chance for the play offs. He is good manager but i do beleive he has made a mistake here. The swansea fans loved his style of play and gave him our full support, we did not deserve to be treated like this. He will now be hated. Silly man.

Posted 10:31 5th June 2009

Ian Bidder (Swansea City fan) says...

If Steve Bruce is a mercenary, then so is Roberto Martinez - He made a lot of big statements at Swansea about committment and sticking together and then leaves us in the lurch at the first (maybe) better opportunity - I'm putting his autobiography in the bin . . .

Posted 10:29 5th June 2009

Vic Way (Swansea City fan) says...

I can't believe Roberto Martinez is leaving Swansea, particularly now. They say there is no loyalty left in football these days & that seems to be true. In his case I thought it may be different. Remember what he said when he first got the job? He wouldn't have given up his playing career for any other club & the only way he would leave the Swans was if they forced him out! To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. What will he achieve at Wigan other than to perhaps keep them at their present level? I really can't see them competing in the top 7 or 8 of the league. With Swansea he still had much more to gain, the job had only just started in terms of progression. In terms of a replacement I hope they consider persuading Steve Coppell to take charge. I hope I'm proved wrong but I agree with most other Swans supporters that we may struggle next season to stay at the level we are at now. After all that I don't blame Wigan for going for him, good luck for next season, and that is sincere.

Posted 09:33 5th June 2009

Gilbard Honey-jones (Swansea City fan) says...

Good luck to Roberto but there are many disappointed fans left in Swansea...........some feel betrayed after comments he made about managing Swansea in the Premiership! However, he did a good job for us and hope that his defensive coaching abilities improve as the Premiership is much quicker than anything he has experienced thus far.

Posted 08:11 5th June 2009

Marc Attreed (West Ham United fan) says...

Robert will do a great job in Wigan he is loved in Swansea and has an eye for fantastic players. I know he will be missed by all the fans but now its down to Swansea and their new manager to prove that he is wrong to leave!!

Posted 08:02 5th June 2009

Kathryn Richards (Wigan Athletic fan) says...

I am so thrilled to see Bob back. For those saying DW would not sign a foreign manager, remember Bob is almost a wiganer to DW, he's been in this country for a long time. TBH I'm glad to see the back of SB, I never trusted him since the first time he was our manager. I'm also sorry for the Swansea fans, I followed Swansea from afar because of Bob and they have lost one of their best chances to get in the Prem. I hope the team does not get raided to boost Wigan because if you can keep the nucleus together I think you'll have a great chance this upcoming season.

Posted 07:55 5th June 2009

Guto Llewelyn (Swansea City fan) says...

Congratulations Wigan! You've got one of the best young managers in Europe! I've lost quite a bit of respect for Martinez because loyalty was one of his main policies. He's broken it, and now his reputation is significantly lower. He's now just another careerist manager. However the man's amazing. I wish him all the luck because he's an incredible man, and a real gent. He'll do well wherever he goes. I don't think it's the right move. He should have stayed an extra season to get Swansea into the Premier League. The future looks pretty bleak for our club now!

Posted 03:29 5th June 2009

Jack Supporter (Swansea City fan) says...

Martinez could of brought Swansea on par with Wigan, in a season or 2 i am sure

Posted 02:33 5th June 2009

Sam Lee says...

Martinez has been coming out in the papers recently talking about Swans players telling them to show commitment and loyalty to the cause. Pity he can't practice what he preaches. We offered to double his wages to 20k a week, sheer greed. He has left us in big trouble he's taking all the back room staff, how long before he takes our better players. Whelan and Martinez can stick it. We gave Roberto a life line as a player when Wigan gave him away on a free. Now Whelans his best mate what a joke. We also gave him his first gig as manager, to leave us now is a bad show, why not give it one more season el gaffer. The premier beconed next season now we'll be lucky to stay up...........Steve Coppell to the rescue please! Hopefully Wigan won't draw us in the Cup as the reception may not be the warmest

Posted 00:36 5th June 2009
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