Malky Will Have To Go Head To Head With Martinez!
Mon May 13, 2013 6:19 pm
Cardiff City have been boosted as they battle to hold on to manager Malky Mackay, with Roberto Martinez refusing to rule himself out of the running for the Everton job.
Wigan boss Martinez and Mackay are the two front-runners to succeed David Moyes at Goodison Park at the end of the current Premier League season.
Moyes will take over at Manchester United following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson who bowed out of Old Trafford with a 2-1 win over Swansea City on Sunday.
Bluebirds boss Mackay, who masterminded a Championship-winning season in the Welsh capital, declined to put himself out of the running to succeed Moyes when interviewed on television on Sunday night and now Martinez has now done the same.
After lifting the FA Cup on the weekend with a shock 1-0 win over Manchester City, Martinez is now preparing the Latics for their desperate battle to try to remain in the top-flight.
Wigan travel to Arsenal tonight knowing if they lose they will be relegated. Even a draw is almost certain to send them into the Championship.
Martinez was questioned about the link with the Everton job ahead of tonight’s game at the Emirates Stadium, but he insisted he was fully focused on making sure Wigan avoided the drop.
“It is the wrong time to speak about individuals,” was his firm response to the Everton speculation.
Reports in the north-west suggest if Wigan are relegated then Martinez will be formally approached about taking over at Everton.
Should he decline Mackay could well be next on the Toffees’ list with Celtic manager Neil Lennon also in the reckoning.
So whether Mackay remains in the Welsh capital for the Bluebirds’ first top-flight campaign in more than half a century, might well hinge on whether Martinez decides to leave Wigan.
In the past the 39-year-old has been linked with managerial posts at Aston Villa and Liverpool, but has stayed loyal to Wigan.
And Latics chairman Dave Whelan is convinced his manager will stay this time as well, whatever happens down the road on Merseyside.
“Whenever he wants to go I’ll release him immediately, but he’ll only go to a big club and I don’t think Everton are big enough,” said Whelan.
“But it’s Roberto’s decision and if he comes to me and says ‘'I want to go’ I’ll say ‘OK’ because we have such a great relationship.
“The lad’s so honest and I trust him implicitly.”
As far as Cardiff are concerned the likelihood of Mackay remaining with the Bluebirds would seem to increase if Wigan were to drop into the Championship.
Martinez is not expected to stay at the DW Stadium if the club is relegated, but the Latics face a tough test tonight with Arsenal knowing victory would move them back into the Champions League places above arch-rivals Tottenham.
Wigan, famed for their dramatic escapes from the drop under Martinez in recent seasons, are looking for three points to drag others into a relegation dog fight on the final day of the Premier League season this Sunday.
Wigan boss Martinez and Mackay are the two front-runners to succeed David Moyes at Goodison Park at the end of the current Premier League season.
Moyes will take over at Manchester United following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson who bowed out of Old Trafford with a 2-1 win over Swansea City on Sunday.
Bluebirds boss Mackay, who masterminded a Championship-winning season in the Welsh capital, declined to put himself out of the running to succeed Moyes when interviewed on television on Sunday night and now Martinez has now done the same.
After lifting the FA Cup on the weekend with a shock 1-0 win over Manchester City, Martinez is now preparing the Latics for their desperate battle to try to remain in the top-flight.
Wigan travel to Arsenal tonight knowing if they lose they will be relegated. Even a draw is almost certain to send them into the Championship.
Martinez was questioned about the link with the Everton job ahead of tonight’s game at the Emirates Stadium, but he insisted he was fully focused on making sure Wigan avoided the drop.
“It is the wrong time to speak about individuals,” was his firm response to the Everton speculation.
Reports in the north-west suggest if Wigan are relegated then Martinez will be formally approached about taking over at Everton.
Should he decline Mackay could well be next on the Toffees’ list with Celtic manager Neil Lennon also in the reckoning.
So whether Mackay remains in the Welsh capital for the Bluebirds’ first top-flight campaign in more than half a century, might well hinge on whether Martinez decides to leave Wigan.
In the past the 39-year-old has been linked with managerial posts at Aston Villa and Liverpool, but has stayed loyal to Wigan.
And Latics chairman Dave Whelan is convinced his manager will stay this time as well, whatever happens down the road on Merseyside.
“Whenever he wants to go I’ll release him immediately, but he’ll only go to a big club and I don’t think Everton are big enough,” said Whelan.
“But it’s Roberto’s decision and if he comes to me and says ‘'I want to go’ I’ll say ‘OK’ because we have such a great relationship.
“The lad’s so honest and I trust him implicitly.”
As far as Cardiff are concerned the likelihood of Mackay remaining with the Bluebirds would seem to increase if Wigan were to drop into the Championship.
Martinez is not expected to stay at the DW Stadium if the club is relegated, but the Latics face a tough test tonight with Arsenal knowing victory would move them back into the Champions League places above arch-rivals Tottenham.
Wigan, famed for their dramatic escapes from the drop under Martinez in recent seasons, are looking for three points to drag others into a relegation dog fight on the final day of the Premier League season this Sunday.
Re: Malky Will Have To Go Head To Head With Martinez!
Mon May 13, 2013 6:48 pm
Surely if Wigan lose against Arsenal which is on the cards Martinez will fight tooth and nail for the job. Unless he can think of a better club he could go to than Everton. Many more of the fans want him than Malky and he's bookies favourite. He is basically our best get out of jail free card. The FA cup win is a double whammy for us, it enhances his rep and will probably send his side into freefall. 
Re: Malky Will Have To Go Head To Head With Martinez!
Mon May 13, 2013 7:06 pm
I would be very surprised if Martinez is not the Everton manager next year. Wigan need to win their next two games, first away at Arsenal and then at home to an improved Villa side. They will not beat Arsenal tomorrow and Roberto would be crazy to turn down the 5-6 best team in the Premier League.
Re: Malky Will Have To Go Head To Head With Martinez!
Mon May 13, 2013 7:56 pm
The Arsenal - Wigan match isn't until tomorrow so unfortunately we've got another 24 hours of agony. 
Re: Malky Will Have To Go Head To Head With Martinez!
Mon May 13, 2013 8:33 pm
Arsenal are 4/11 and Wigan are 8/1 to win with bet 365.
http://www.oddschecker.com/live-in-play ... gan/winner
http://www.oddschecker.com/live-in-play ... gan/winner
Re: Malky Will Have To Go Head To Head With Martinez!
Mon May 13, 2013 9:38 pm
Malky is drifting in the odds again tonight. Alan Stubbs is now moving up, haven't heard his name mentioned.
Re: Malky Will Have To Go Head To Head With Martinez!
Mon May 13, 2013 9:47 pm
martinez is in his comfort zone, if they go down. he will still be manager. theres no pressure on him at wigan. job for life.
Re: Malky Will Have To Go Head To Head With Martinez!
Mon May 13, 2013 9:52 pm
https://mobile.twitter.com/Joey7Barton/ ... 9707621376
Looks like stubs is in with a shout!
http://www.oddschecker.com/football/foo ... nt-manager
Hes jumped to 2nd favourite and Malky has dropped to 4th!
Looks like stubs is in with a shout!
http://www.oddschecker.com/football/foo ... nt-manager
Hes jumped to 2nd favourite and Malky has dropped to 4th!