• Premier League

Everton: Martinez not sole candidate

ESPN staff
May 29, 2013
Roberto Martinez is 'only on the list' of prospective Everton managers, insists Bill Kenwright © Getty Images
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Everton chairman Bill Kenwright insists he is still considering other candidates for the vacant manager's job despite preparing talks with Roberto Martinez.

Kenwright refused to rule Swansea boss Michael Laudrup, Cardiff's Malky Mackay and Celtic's Neil Lennon out of the running when those names were put to him on Wednesday afternoon.

Martinez is seen as the front-runner for the job, having told Wigan chairman Dave Whelan on Tuesday that he wished to leave the DW Stadium after four years in charge.

But asked about alternative candidates by a reporter who specifically named Laudrup, Mackay and Lennon, Kenwright told Sky Sports: "There is a list. There's no favourite. Not at this moment."

Everton are looking for a new manager to replace David Moyes, who has brought his 11-year reign to an end to take charge at Manchester United.

Kenwright has interviewed three members of the club's coaching staff - Alan Stubbs, David Weir and Duncan Ferguson - in addition to departing club captain Phil Neville, who has just brought his eight-year playing stint at the club to an end.

The chairman is also understood to have sounded out Porto boss Vitor Pereira.

Kenwright said: "In week one, I talked to the lads at Everton. In week two, I talked to some lads out of contract, and week three I'm spreading that net a bit more.

"I will meet Roberto and he's on the list, as I've always said. No more than on the list."

Kenwright believes he has the full backing of Everton's support as he seeks a replacement for Moyes.

He addedL "Evertonians have been great about that list, as I indicated that I thought they would be. They've certainly bombarded me with their thoughts and they're not a million miles away from mine.

"You'll always get the odd one who will think that he's got the only idea, and there are a few plumbers and electricians on there who think they can manage.

"But in the main, Evertonians and myself are sort of on the same page.

"The most gratifying thing is that 90 per cent of them just said: 'Listen, you didn't let us down last time. Go with your gut instinct and hopefully you'll get it right again.'

"All I can say is that there's no way I or anyone can say: 'Yeah, we'll get it right. We'll get the right man.' But I certainly will put everything into getting it right."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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