This morning Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez was coy when discussing his possible future at the club.
However the Spaniard didn’t confirm that he will be staying with the Latics, who will fight for promotion from the English Championship next season after their relegation from the EPL was confirmed on Tuesday.
Martinez was asked about how and when a decision will be made.
“It’s going to be very straightforward and, whatever it is, it’s going to be good for Wigan,” Martinez said. “One thing that we’re going to do very quickly is understand where we are next season and what we have to do internally”
(More: Wigan relegated after loss to Arsenal)
With Martinez putting Wigan first he then moved to chat about his own future, with Everton reportedly lining him up to replace David Moyes at Goodison Park.
“Whoever is the manager at the football club will be ready and already thinking about the next campaign and make sure we’re ready to start in the Championship and not starting the campaign still feeling hurt,” Martinez said. “This football club has got incredible, solid foundations and whoever is going to be the manager is going to have a very successful time.”
So that last comment seems a little shaky. With Martinez already drawing attention from many clubs not only in the EPL but across Europe, can Wigan really expect to hold onto him in the Championship?
You bet.
Chairman Dave Whelan is adamant he will do everything in his power to persuade Martinez to stay on at the DW Stadium.
(More: How well would Martinez fit at Everton?)
It may not be as hard as you think, even with Wigan set to battle ferociously in the blood and thunder of the Championship next season. Martinez arrived as a player at Wigan in 1995 and helped spark their climb through the lower leagues of English soccer. Wigan is engrained in his heart. He had only played 11 professional games over two seasons in Spain when he decided to switch Catalonia for Greater Manchester.
Wigan feels like a family to him. It is home.
But sometimes things just have to happen. Martinez has to leave Wigan. No matter how strong his ties are to the club for what he achieved as a player and as a manager — winning the club their first-ever major trophy win the recent FA Cup win over Manchester City — he has to move on.
A manager of his quality is too good for the Championship, that is the harsh reality.
