Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.
Advertisement
Wigan celebrate avoiding relegation on the final day of the season
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has chosen to remain at Wigan after Aston Villa made an approach for his services.
Martinez, 37, is expected to take up an improved contract with the Latics instead of the chance to manage Villa.
“Roberto met with his chairman earlier this week and he has made the decision to honour his commitment to Wigan,” read a Villa statement.
“Therefore, we have not met Roberto and we have not had the chance to discuss the vacant managerial role with him.”
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan was confident Martinez would stay at his club, despite giving him the option to hold talks with Villa, and he has been proven right.
Martinez’s decision will be a blow for Villa as their search for a successor to Gerard Houllier, who left the Midlands outfit earlier this month on health grounds, continues.
Villa continued: “The club would like to thank Wigan and its chairman, Dave Whelan, for their professionalism in dealing with our request to speak to Roberto Martinez.
“Roberto’s qualities as a young and aspirational manager ensured him of a position high on our short list of potential new managers.
“Given that he had one year remaining on his contract at Wigan, we made an official approach through the proper channels, though we were aware of a commitment he had made to his club to agree and sign a new contract following the final game of last season.”
More to follow.
Read more from the original source:
Martinez opts to remain at Wigan