Tuesday 28 May 2013 22:13, UK
Manager Roberto Martinez has decided to leave Wigan and he has been given permission to speak to Everton about their vacant position.
Martinez, 39, who spent six years as a player with the Latics, has been a popular manager in his four years at the helm. He has had to contend with relegation battles in each season but has regularly earned plaudits for his positive style of play. The former Swansea manager has been heavily linked with Aston Villa and Liverpool in each of the past two summers. Wigan survived relegation from the top flight on the last day of the season in 2011 and last year won seven of their last nine games to produce a remarkable escape. That was a feat that proved beyond them this term but they did claim handsome consolation with their stunning FA Cup final victory over City. Meanwhile, Wigan defender Gary Caldwell believes Martinez has the potential to become one of the best managers around. "He wants to play football the right way and gives players the freedom to do that and gives you great belief in what you are trying to do," Caldwell told Sky Sports News. "I think tactically he is one of the best I have worked with. I think he showed that in the Cup final playing against a great Man City team, I think tactically he out-thought Mancini on the day and he won that battle, and I think he can do that in most games. "He thinks about the game, he is very passionate about the game and players respond to him and give him all they've got. "I think definitely he has got the potential to do that [become a top manager]. "He is a very young manager still and has got a lot of experience behind him, and that can only be good for him and furthering his career."
