Martinez passes on Villa to stay at Wigan

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BIRMINGHAM, England -- Roberto Martinez will remain as manager of Wigan after rejecting an opportunity to hold talks with English Premier League rival Aston Villa.

Villa targeted the 37-year-old Spaniard as a replacement for Gerard Houllier, who stepped down for health reasons this month, but said on Friday that Martinez "has made the decision to honour his commitment to Wigan."

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan granted Martinez permission to speak to Villa, while at the same time offering a pay rise and a contract extension in a bid to keep him at DW Stadium.

Martinez has a year left on his contract with Wigan, which he has kept in the Premier League despite relegation battles in his two seasons in charge, but is set to sign a new deal.

"Today or tomorrow, he will be signing a new three-year deal," Whelan said. "Roberto's staying, that's great news."

Villa said the club didn't even get the chance to meet Martinez and discuss the vacant managerial role.

Houllier joined Villa in September after leaving his role as technical director for the French Football Federation but missed the final month of last season because of heart problems.

Villa has also been widely linked with moves for former Liverpool and Inter Milan coach Rafa Benitez and ex-England manager Steve McClaren.

"We will have the new manager in place to prepare the players for the preseason program and next season's campaign," the Villa statement read.

Villa finished last season in ninth place in the Premier League.

View the original article here

Read more »

Martinez staying at Wigan

Staying put ... Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has turned down the open Villa position Source: Adrian Dennis / AP

Wigan Athletic has confirmed manager Roberto Martinez has turned down the chance of taking over at Aston Villa on Friday.

An Aston Villa statement said Martinez, 37, had featured prominently on the club's shortlist of candidates to replace Gerard Houllier but had chosen instead to see out his contract with Wigan.

"Roberto met with his chairman earlier this week and he made the decision to honour his commitment to Wigan," the Villa statement said.

Martinez is reported to have been offered a double-your-money contract to move to Villa, but instead opted to repay the faith shown in him by Latics owner Dave Whelan, who has signed him both as a player and manager.

"Over the last two years the chairman has been very supportive to me and loyal, and now I feel I need to be loyal and supportive back to him," Martinez said.

"I haven't finished my job at Wigan Athletic -- there is much work still to be done.

"I don't know how long that will take but such is the belief that I have always had that I would only ever decide to move once the club is ready for a new manager."

Wigan owner Whelan expressed delight after Martinez's decision to stay.

"Roberto's staying and that's the great news," Whelan told Sky Sports on Friday. "He's signing a new three-year contract. But to be honest, money is not what this has been about. I'm over the moon."

Villa had requested and been granted permission to approach Martinez after he emerged as the front-runner to take over at Villa Park ahead of former England boss Steve McClaren and ex-Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

"The club would like to thank Wigan Athletic Football Club and its chairman, Dave Whelan, for their professionalism in dealing with our request to speak to Roberto Martinez," Villa said.

"Roberto's qualities as a young and aspirational manager ensured him of a position high on our shortlist of potential new managers.

"We remain focused and are working hard to secure the best candidate for Aston Villa who will complement the club's commitment to be true to our heritage, competitiveness and passionate fanbase, and will have the new manager in place to prepare the players for the pre-season programme and next season's campaign."

Follow the action. Like Fox Sports.

View the original article here

Read more »

Martinez staying at Wigan

Staying put ... Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has turned down the open Villa position Source: Adrian Dennis / AP

Wigan Athletic has confirmed manager Roberto Martinez has turned down the chance of taking over at Aston Villa on Friday.

An Aston Villa statement said Martinez, 37, had featured prominently on the club's shortlist of candidates to replace Gerard Houllier but had chosen instead to see out his contract with Wigan.

"Roberto met with his chairman earlier this week and he made the decision to honour his commitment to Wigan," the Villa statement said.

Martinez is reported to have been offered a double-your-money contract to move to Villa, but instead opted to repay the faith shown in him by Latics owner Dave Whelan, who has signed him both as a player and manager.

"Over the last two years the chairman has been very supportive to me and loyal, and now I feel I need to be loyal and supportive back to him," Martinez said.

"I haven't finished my job at Wigan Athletic -- there is much work still to be done.

"I don't know how long that will take but such is the belief that I have always had that I would only ever decide to move once the club is ready for a new manager."

Wigan owner Whelan expressed delight after Martinez's decision to stay.

"Roberto's staying and that's the great news," Whelan told Sky Sports on Friday. "He's signing a new three-year contract. But to be honest, money is not what this has been about. I'm over the moon."

Villa had requested and been granted permission to approach Martinez after he emerged as the front-runner to take over at Villa Park ahead of former England boss Steve McClaren and ex-Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

"The club would like to thank Wigan Athletic Football Club and its chairman, Dave Whelan, for their professionalism in dealing with our request to speak to Roberto Martinez," Villa said.

"Roberto's qualities as a young and aspirational manager ensured him of a position high on our shortlist of potential new managers.

"We remain focused and are working hard to secure the best candidate for Aston Villa who will complement the club's commitment to be true to our heritage, competitiveness and passionate fanbase, and will have the new manager in place to prepare the players for the pre-season programme and next season's campaign."

Read more »

Martinez passes on Villa to stay at Wigan

 

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BIRMINGHAM, England -- Roberto Martinez will remain as manager of Wigan after rejecting an opportunity to hold talks with English Premier League rival Aston Villa.

Villa targeted the 37-year-old Spaniard as a replacement for Gerard Houllier, who stepped down for health reasons this month, but said on Friday that Martinez "has made the decision to honour his commitment to Wigan."

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan granted Martinez permission to speak to Villa, while at the same time offering a pay rise and a contract extension in a bid to keep him at DW Stadium.

Martinez has a year left on his contract with Wigan, which he has kept in the Premier League despite relegation battles in his two seasons in charge, but is set to sign a new deal.

"Today or tomorrow, he will be signing a new three-year deal," Whelan said. "Roberto's staying, that's great news."

Villa said the club didn't even get the chance to meet Martinez and discuss the vacant managerial role.

Houllier joined Villa in September after leaving his role as technical director for the French Football Federation but missed the final month of last season because of heart problems.

Villa has also been widely linked with moves for former Liverpool and Inter Milan coach Rafa Benitez and ex-England manager Steve McClaren.

"We will have the new manager in place to prepare the players for the preseason program and next season's campaign," the Villa statement read.

Villa finished last season in ninth place in the Premier League.

 

Read more »

Martinez staying at Wigan

Staying put ... Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has turned down the open Villa position Source: Adrian Dennis / AP

Wigan Athletic has confirmed manager Roberto Martinez has turned down the chance of taking over at Aston Villa on Friday.

An Aston Villa statement said Martinez, 37, had featured prominently on the club's shortlist of candidates to replace Gerard Houllier but had chosen instead to see out his contract with Wigan.

"Roberto met with his chairman earlier this week and he made the decision to honour his commitment to Wigan," the Villa statement said.

Martinez is reported to have been offered a double-your-money contract to move to Villa, but instead opted to repay the faith shown in him by Latics owner Dave Whelan, who has signed him both as a player and manager.

"Over the last two years the chairman has been very supportive to me and loyal, and now I feel I need to be loyal and supportive back to him," Martinez said.

"I haven't finished my job at Wigan Athletic -- there is much work still to be done.

"I don't know how long that will take but such is the belief that I have always had that I would only ever decide to move once the club is ready for a new manager."

Wigan owner Whelan expressed delight after Martinez's decision to stay.

"Roberto's staying and that's the great news," Whelan told Sky Sports on Friday. "He's signing a new three-year contract. But to be honest, money is not what this has been about. I'm over the moon."

Villa had requested and been granted permission to approach Martinez after he emerged as the front-runner to take over at Villa Park ahead of former England boss Steve McClaren and ex-Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

"The club would like to thank Wigan Athletic Football Club and its chairman, Dave Whelan, for their professionalism in dealing with our request to speak to Roberto Martinez," Villa said.

"Roberto's qualities as a young and aspirational manager ensured him of a position high on our shortlist of potential new managers.

"We remain focused and are working hard to secure the best candidate for Aston Villa who will complement the club's commitment to be true to our heritage, competitiveness and passionate fanbase, and will have the new manager in place to prepare the players for the pre-season programme and next season's campaign."

Read more »