• Premier League

Whelan resigned to losing Martinez

ESPN staff
May 9, 2013
Dave Whelan is resigned to losing Roberto Martinez in the near future © Getty Images
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Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has admitted he is resigned to losing manager Roberto Martinez in the near future. But the 76-year-old believes the Spaniard is too good for the likes of Everton, where rumours suggest he may replace David Moyes.

Speculation is linking Martinez with a move away from the DW Stadium with Wigan under threat of relegation, three points away from safety with only two games remaining in the season.

But the misery of another lacklustre campaign has been offset by the club's FA Cup run which has led them to Saturday's final at Wembley where they will meet Manchester City.

And Whelan does not believe that the result on Saturday, nor the impending threat of relegation, will deter suitors from one day stealing Martinez away from under his nose.

"It's a battle that I will lose and Wigan will lose [at some point], I've no question on that," Whelan told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It's [a case of] would Roberto choose to go to Everton or would he wait for one of the really big clubs?

"I'm not degrading Everton in any way, shape or form - they're a great club with great supporters - but is Everton regarded as one of the top European clubs? Well, unfortunately they're not."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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