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Martinez decides to leave Wigan following relegation

By on May 28, 2013
Roberto Martinez has decided to leave Wigan Athletic after relegation from the Premier League

Roberto Martinez has decided to leave Wigan Athletic after relegation from the Premier League

Roberto Martinez is set to leave FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic following a meeting with club chairman David Whelan, paving the way for his predicted move to Everton.  The Spaniard told Whelan he would like to end his four year reign at The DW Stadium during a lunchtime meeting after thinking over his decision during the Bank Holiday weekend. Martinez has received his first formal job offer from Everton, who lost manager David Moyes to Manchester United.

Martinez has been favorite to take over at Everton ever since Moyes departed for Manchester United, with the 39-year-old’s attractive attacking brand of football making him a popular choice amongst top clubs.  Martinez cemented his place as a top-class manager during his reign at Swansea City from 2006 to 2009, during which he won the club promotion from League 1.  In 2009 the Spaniard moved to Wigan, and won the hearts of the fans, who will remain faithful to the manager despite recent relegation from the Premier League. But, Martinez’s time at the DW is coming to a close, and Everton are closing in on a deal with Martinez, despite Phil Neville and David Weir also being considered by the Merseyside club.

Although Wigan was keen to keep the manager who consistently kept Wigan in the Premier League despite running on a tight budget, and won the Lactics their first ever FA Cup title earlier in May with a 1-0 win over Manchester City at Wembley, Martinez decided he was not the man to lead the club back into the Premier League.  Despite relegation, Wigan will also be looking to keep star players like Arouna Kone and Franco Di Santo.

“Roberto wants to move on,” confirmed Wigan chairman Whelan. “He feels he’s not the man to lead us back into the Premier League. I’ve got to accept what he feels.”

We will let him go but he’s on a 12-month rolling contract so if he moves someone will have to buy him out of his final year. Everton rang me and I said they have permission to talk to him.”

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.