Roberto Martinez will leave FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic after chairman Dave Whelan admitted Everton requested permission to take the Spaniard to Goodison Park.
Martinez was in charge of the Latics for four seasons and masterminded several ‘great escapes’ but was unable to prevent their eight-year Premier League spell from ending.
Whelan confirmed despite his love for the club and leading them to a historic Wembley triumph, Martinez felt someone else should guide Wigan back to the top-flight.
“He wanted permission to move so I’ve given that,” Whelan told BBC Sport. “He feels he’s not the man to lead us back into the Premier League.
“I’ve got to accept what he feels. He loves Wigan and the fans. We have to move on now and want applications for the job.”
Martinez, who was linked with Aston Villa and Liverpool in the past, is hotly-tipped to take over at Everton who approached Wigan for permission to speak to him, but Whelan revealed will still need to pay compensation.
“He has 12 months left on his contract, so whoever comes in for him must pay the remainder of his contract,” he added.
Club captain Gary Caldwell heaped praise on his departing manager and believes he has the potential to become one of the best managers around.
“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,” he told Sky Sports.
“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.”
Image courtesy of BBC Sport, via YouTube, with thanks
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