Eurosport - Thu, 04 Jun 17:22:00 2009
Wigan owner Dave Whelan is confident a deal to bring Roberto Martinez in as manager will be concluded by Friday morning.
The Barclays Premier League club were given permission to speak to the former Latics midfielder on Thursday after agreeing a compensation package with Championship outfit Swansea.
Martinez, 35, was hugely popular in his six years as a player with the club from 1995-2001 and Wigan have moved quickly to secure his services after losing Steve Bruce to Sunderland earlier this week.
"I am delighted and I know the whole of Wigan will be excited we are getting one of the Three Amigos back," said Whelan.
"Roberto played good football and I've followed his career go on and on. His players play football from back to front, I like what I see and I am really excited Roberto is coming back to Wigan."
"Compensation was something we had to agree, that is only fair and right. We did that with Birmingham and we have now agreed with the chairman of Swansea. Hopefully things will be sorted out and contracts signed by tomorrow morning."
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Comment 10 - 29 of 29
i thought he seemed like a man that would stick to his word!!it will be a real loss to the swans...if he does go watch out wigan you best hope that sir alex doesnt hang up his boots or you shall feel like all swans fans do this morning!!!
(13) I'll give three good reasons for him to come to Wigan
1, He will be paid alot more money for start.
2, He will not have your players playing on our pitch we have our own. So pitch condition does not come into it.
3, With the Wigan he has more chances of better things so he can progress.
I know it would be a sad day for you guys but why should your manager give up a chance to be in the premiership just to be loyal.
Wigan has had to face these challenges every season, players going when they are scouted.
Maybe if you find yourselves in the premiership you might be having the same conversation.
You never know he might get the same treatment that Hutchins got 12 weeks and out.
We might be doing you a favor because if he is not good enough for the premiership then he is not good enough to get you up there and keep you there.
Wigan's problem is when we just get a good team our chairman sells our best assetts.
YES OF COURSE HE WILL FOR MAYEE ONE SECOND . MATE THERES NO SENTIMENTS IN FOOTBALL REMEMBER THAT. STEVE BRUCE WAS OUR HERO TO.
LATICS FAN 40 YEARS
MR MARTINEZ WAS A FINE PLAYER . I HAVE ALSO SEEN SWANSEA CITY ON TV AND THE FOOTBALL YOU PLAYED THERE WAS THE PURE SLICK PASSING GAME. THIS IS FINE AND GOOD IN DIV 2 CCC . MY WORRY IS MARTINEZ WILL HAVE TO CHANGE HIS STYLE FOR MOST GAMES. WEST BROM WERE MAYBE ONE OF THE BETTER PURE FOOTBALL TEAMS LAST SEASON AND THEY GOT RELEGATED. HAVING SAID THAT THE PLAYERS AT WIGAN ARE PREM CLASS AND THEY HAVE BEEN THERE AND GOT THE T SHIRT. WITH HUGO RODALAGA THE ONLY STRIKER AT THE CLUB WE NEED TO FIND TWO OUR THREE MORE. I ONLY HOPE HE DOESNT GO LOOKING TO SIGN DIV 2 CCC PLAYERS BECAUSE ON THE WHOLE THEY ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH. WIGAN TRIED THAT WITH M. KING WHO WAS THE DIV 2CCC TOP SCORER AT THE TIME AND HE WASNT GOOD ENOUGH.
HAVING SAID ALL THAT, BOB MARTINEZ WELCOME BACK TO WIGAN AND GOOD LUCK YOU ARE NOW A F A PREMIER MANAGER PLAYING IN THE BEST LEAGUE IN THE WORLD CONGRATULATIONS SIR.
J GREEN LATICS FAN 40 YEARS
Unfortunately only one thing talks these days-MONEY. If Martinez can do well with Wigan, a big IF mind, it is a ticket to much greater things. He might however have the same thing happen to him as Roy Keane. Things not going well, out on his arse and then back down to start again. It's a gamble but he will go. This means upheaval for swansea next year so it will be tough. No fan base to sustain time in the PL sorry, not like the Tosh days. Never go there now, did then, but it was mainly yobless.
Having persuaded players to stay at Swansea,would be a bit disloyal for him to leave,could only be for money,why on earth would anyone want to go to Wigan.Wouldn't be ambition,not enough money there and the players he's found for Swansea have performed at Championship level, Premiership massive leap again.As for The Northener questioning why he's a Judas,most Swans fans would wish him well,be interesting to see what the rugby league town's supporters have to say next time Robert's head is turned,having already heard him talk of loyalty.Final say is with Martinez.As for Whelan saying he's delighted to welcome back one of his three amigos,why wait for Steve Bruce to go before poaching,something to do with Sunderlands money perhaps?
What's his coaching badge?
If roberto goes to the pie eaters we'll be passing them on the up as they come down
How is Martinez a Judas if he goes to manage a club where he spent six years at?
Lawrence Smith 51 (is that your age?): Send me a photo. I'll bet with those long legs, blond hairs (even the pubes?) and blue eyes, you're a little cracker.
Judas Martinez talk about us cheering for trundle and slagging off andy robinson for going to leeds and hes doing the same first chance he gets.
It will be really sad if he goes however if Huw Jenkins reads this, get on the phone to Espanyol tonight and use the money to get Jordi Gomez back as a Swansea player next season, every time he hits the back of the net next year we can thank Roberto and Wigan for their generosity in buying him for us.
U ave 2 remember no 1 man is bigger than the club but as a jack I don't want him to leave. he is a of a big part of the club. whatever happens always be proud to be a jack and support the lads playing always
Presuming darrendimond a scummer,yes mate Swansea Bay still as filthy as when you had your paddle in it. Wigan welcome to Scotland,think Espanyol might have something to say about Gomez unless a loan deal,they've watched him progress in Championship,and his values on the rise.If Rangell wants away let him go,we're not in debt but don't want anyone who doesn't want to play for us.Look forward to outplaying you again this season.Be quite a novelty,first football ground constructed out of Lego.Still keeping an eye on e-Bay for your sc called superstar players to hit reserve price,how you going to service that debt,or do you still believe Ridsdale going to pull a rabbit out of the hat.Ask Leeds and Barnsley fans where he put them.Done up like kippers by a camel mercant named Sam,biggest club in Wales,my a**e,Barry Town's feeder club before long.
IMT
I hope I can be a well-educated man's someone special. I have long legs, blond hairs and blue eyes. Im kind, well-educated, humurous and cute. Reach me at _________________ R i ch B eau ty Me et C o m ______________
he knows it's his only chance to manage in the prem, as the jacks will never get there...lol..and he'll take scotland, angel and gomez with him
Judging by what premier league teams are paying for players £2m is an absolute snip for a good manager who is arguably the most important member of the staff at any club. I'm a Fulham fan who watched us survive by the skin of our teeth at Swansea before sneaking past them in the replay at Craven Cottage. Swansea were quite frankly excellent in both ties and certainly deserved to go through at the first time of asking. A great coup for any club that gets hold of Martinez
3 reasons why Martinez should stay at swansea.
1. the state of Wigan's pitch to play his type of football
2. attractive football with average players = relegation (e.g. West Brom)
3. (agreed with below) Swansea are potentially a bigger club than Wigan will ever be - one club city, growing fan base etc.
Only two constants in football-the club and it's fans. If he wants to go,we'll still follow the Swans,probably even welcome him back if it goes pear shaped at Wigan. He's got a team of his own making here and everybodys backing,what happens if he gets a bad start at Wigan or wherever,chairman hits panic button and he'll be back on Sky Sports covering La Liga.Show some loyalty to the team who gave you a break Roberto,we might be in the Championship but are/always will be a bigger club than Wigan.Know sounds daft coming from a Jack but aren't they all egg chasers up there.
IMT
I think he is staying with swans he is just talking with wigan then he will remember his words of loyalty
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