Fergie power concerns Martinez

Wigan boss believes Benitez is targeted

Last updated: 28th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fergie power concerns Martinez

Ferguson: Martinez concern

Ferguson has his group of faithfuls, people who are committed to him: Steve Bruce, who was a player with him, Sam Allardyce, who thinks he will be his successor at Old Trafford, and others.

Roberto Martinez.
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Wigan boss Roberto Martinez believes Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson holds too much power in English football.

The Spaniard, in his debut season in the top flight after taking charge at the DW Stadium in the summer, feels that the Football Association are overawed by the veteran Old Trafford boss.

And he claims that Ferguson has other Premier League managers on his side in his battles with Liverpool counterpart Rafa Benitez, giving him an unfair advantage over the Anfield chief.

Ferguson has admitted an FA charge of improper conduct following his comments over the fitness of referee Alan Wiley after the draw with Sunderland earlier this month.

The Scot, who also questioned the experience of Andre Marriner following their weekend defeat by Liverpool, faces a personal hearing for his comments regarding Wiley.

But Martinez believes other managers would have been hit with more decisive action than the Scot has so far.

Crushed

"They (the FA) have just sanctioned Ferguson for saying that referee was not fit enough and the truth is that they're almost apologising to him for punishing him," Martinez told Spanish newspaper AS.

"Any other coach would have been crushed for that.

"Ferguson has been here for a lifetime and that carries a lot of weight."

Martinez's comments echo those of fellow Spaniard and Liverpool manager Benitez, who the Latics boss believes is unfairly targeted by some managers.

"Ferguson has his group of faithfuls, people who are committed to him: Steve Bruce, who was a player with him, Sam Allardyce, who thinks he will be his successor at Old Trafford, and others," Martinez said.

"On the other side there's Rafa Benitez and he gets attacked from all sides."

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Comments (28)

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Andrew Richardon (Manchester United fan) says...

Who is Roberto Martinez? Is that Spaniard who did nothing at Swansea and now is doing nothing at Wigan? At the end of the day, every time Ferguson says something, the papers have a field day. Ferguson is friends with everyone because why wouldn't he be? They are all obssessed with football and probably have a lot to talk about. It's not just the English managers, I remember him having a very good relationship with Mourinho, and gets on well with Ancelotti. Benitez chooses to be alone.

Posted 11:32 28th October 2009

Steven Thomas (Liverpool fan) says...

Nice to see another manager coming out against ferguson, for too long he has got away with his intimidation, rants and abuse of fellow managers and officials! I really hope he gets punished severely for his latest jibe but I fear the FA will once again let him off lightly! One rule for him and one for the rest! Who says football isn't corrupt

Posted 11:29 28th October 2009

Rick Smith (Manchester United fan) says...

Well now it looks like Benitez has an ally and a idiotic one at that, Allardyce as Fergie's successor? Try again. And power? Have u seen the last 2 reffereing performances against his team? I'm sure Fergie won't be able to sleep after such a distinguished and successful manager knocking him like that!!!

Posted 11:29 28th October 2009

Andrew Mcgregor (Manchester United fan) says...

Maybe Martinez ought to realise that when you are one of the most successful managers of all time at one of the biggest clubs in the world people will listen to what you have to say. Im afraid hes not in that category and never will be!! I suspect that hes tring to copy his old amigo Benitez here, pathetic......

Posted 11:27 28th October 2009

Tony Rowe (Manchester United fan) says...

So basically what he's saying is that after over 20 years in English football, Sir Alex has managed to develop friendships with other managers... Rafa, on the other hand is disliked by a good number of the top flight managers due to his comments and actions.

Posted 11:25 28th October 2009

Robbo Barlow (Liverpool fan) says...

Martinez a man of the truth i have a lot of respect for him and after reading this i have even more. Another manager big enough to speak out about the special treatment fergie gets from the FA. If any other manager did what fergie did then there would be fines and touchline bans!.

Posted 11:22 28th October 2009

Jonathan Cain (Newcastle United fan) says...

Couldn't get closer to the truth in my opinion, and lets face it, this has been going on for the last decade, Fergie always gets the rub of the green with the F.A. where other managers would be sent to the stands. Its not right but he s been there so long and obviously now knows the right people to speak to! I think its disgusting and we ll only actually see what benefits he brought to united when he retires, well in Martinez

Posted 11:20 28th October 2009

Paul Cassar (Manchester United fan) says...

He's been a prem manager for two minutes, and says that! He forgot to mention one of fergie's biggest admirers is his boss Dave Whelan. ha haa. good bye martinez x x

Posted 11:16 28th October 2009

Praveena Corera (Liverpool fan) says...

It's so true. Finally someone's saying it out loud. I know Ferguson is one of the best managers ever. No doubt about it but sometimes he gets treated above others.

Posted 11:14 28th October 2009

Liam Gerrish (Chelsea fan) says...

So true hes got the PL in his pocket.... Everytime he speaks after a game he gets fined.. Just leave it to the assistant manager and you'll save yourself some money.

Posted 11:11 28th October 2009

Aid Reid (Manchester United fan) says...

At last someone has the backbone to say it. Fergie's influence is a joke and makes a mockery of the League at times.

Posted 11:05 28th October 2009

David Robinson (Liverpool fan) says...

The quotes are from a spanish newspaper, so they were probably just looking for a spanish angle. Most people in spain aren't that interested in the premiership, outside of the names of players and managers from their own country

Posted 11:03 28th October 2009

James Bird (Queens Park Rangers fan) says...

I think Martinez is right Fergie gets away with murder! He shouts at every ref after a decision goes against his team he should show more respect this is not a good image for the game.

Posted 11:02 28th October 2009

Sean Parr (Liverpool fan) says...

Well said Martinez. Ferguson is a disgrace, he's a whinging big baby. How can he say what he's said about the refs not being fit enough and then get away with saying Marriner isn't experienced enough, he gets away with murder. A very bad loser with always something/one to blame other than his teams performance. It's not arrogant of Martinez at all, Ferguson is backed to the hilt by everyone and most of all the media. It was the media that tried to make Rafa look like he had lost it just because he had said some home truths about Sir Whingealot.

Posted 10:59 28th October 2009

Chris Mccann (Manchester United fan) says...

Typical, I used to respect Martinez, he knows alot about the game and always had interesting things to say when he was on Revista de la Liga. Talented manager who just went down in my books. You cant come out like that and have a go at SIR ALEX based on what, that he, like every manager gets away with murder. Very cheeky how he mentioned Bruce and Big Sam also. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but what he said was completely useless and only got him in the bad books with a few PL managers I would say. IDIOT!!

Posted 10:55 28th October 2009

Dave Pierce (Liverpool fan) says...

Finally someone who is sticking up for Rafa, he is 100% correct, there are many managers who thinks the sun shines out of SAF backside. Going back to the Blackburn game when Sam Allardyce thought Rafa was saying game over, Why did ferguson get involved after that? Clearly Rafa did not mean game over, but even if he did who cares, Blackburn were rubbish that day. To be fair to Rafa this season he is just getting on with the job and not moaning about refs or decisions or other managers.

Posted 10:55 28th October 2009

Lee Grayson (Hull City fan) says...

He may of only been in the Prem for 5 mins.... but you gotta admit he's right. Any other manager had said the things he did about Alan Wiley and Andre Marriner would of been pulled in front of the F.A straight away and banned instantly for several games, yet fergie has simply put the game in to disrepute with Wiley and then the very next game done it with Marriner. Sorry to all these Man Utd fans but where all this respect for Refs when the most experienced manager in the prem can come out with comments like these... he should be setting an example for new managers like martinez. As good as a manager fergie is,he is arrogant selfish and the biggest sore loser in management!!! If the F.A dont want other managers to go the same way as fergie they need to come down on him HARD. I know alot wont agree but i know more then most (I.E Non Man Utd fans) will agree with this.

Posted 10:55 28th October 2009

Wayne Edwards (Manchester United fan) says...

I have to agree with Michael Redfearn... Seems to me that Benitez can only strike up relationships with other Spaniards, and Martinez's arrogance seems to be on an equal par with that of Benitez. Only two managers have really caused Sir Alex any concern over the past 20 years... José Mourinho and Arsene Wenger. Others come and go and it seems to be proved that Liverpool were a one season wonder... Alonso had one good season, and they challenged. This is all a case of people jumping on the bandwagon... Referees have been criticised for years, worse things get said on the Sunday League pitches around the country than "the referee is not fit enough".. and let's be honest, Alan Wiley could possibly do with losing a couple of pounds don't you agree? After the Manchester derby, we had a week of gossiping about how friendly Fergie and Wiley were for laughing on the touchline, now we read about how Fergie has almost destroyed Wiley's career.... Utter Nonsense...

Posted 10:51 28th October 2009

Andrew Walker (Liverpool fan) says...

Hit the nail on the head Roberto. It's been happening for years. Fergie will probably only get a warning. The FA are far too scared of SAF. If it was any other manager, they will get a fine AND a touchline ban.

Posted 10:49 28th October 2009

Brian Teles (Arsenal fan) says...

Martinez has more than a point. Fergie is too powerful in the English game. The FA let him get away with all sorts of things. Other managers would be severely punished but not him. He seems to tell the FA and the PL what to do. Man Utd fans are saying than Martinez isn't entitled to his opinions because, and I quote "he's only been here 5 mins in the Premier League." Doesn't matter how long Martinez has been boss at Wigan. He's a PL manager just like Fergie. The United boss has no respect for anyone in the game. His ego is bigger than his club. If the United fans took off they're Old Trafford glasses, then they would know this.

Posted 10:45 28th October 2009
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