Surprising news coming through that Roberto Martinez, the Spanish manager of Wigan Athletic has turned down an opportunity to manage Aston Villa.
Roberto Martinez – turns down Aston Villa – he’s a class act
A Villa statement confirmed today:
“Roberto met with his chairman earlier this week and he made the decision to honor his commitment to Wigan.”
Martinez is still only 37 years old, and is one of the best young managers in the game, and he has done so well at Wigan with very little money or resources available to him since he became manager in 2009, after spending two years at Swansea.
But it seems that Roberto is an old fashioned guy, and he has spoken of his commitment to Wigan’s youthful squad and their rather amazing escape from the drop last month.
The Aston Villa statement added:
“The club would like to thank Wigan Athletic Football Club 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 shortlist 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.”
“Roberto met with his chairman earlier this week and he has made the decision to honor his commitment to Wigan.” “Therefore, we have not met Roberto and we have not had the opportunity to discuss the vacant managerial role with him.”
“We remain focused and are working hard to secure the best candidate for Aston Villa who will complement the club’s commitment to be true to our heritage, competitiveness and passionate fan base.”
“And we will have the new manager in place to prepare the players for the pre-season program and next season’s campaign.”
To give Dave Whelan credit, the Wigan Chairman had said yesterday that he thought Roberto would elect to stay at Wigan, and that must be a huge lift for their supporters and the club in general.
Since Martinez has just one year left on his contract we now expect Dave, one of the good guys in football, to offer Roberto a new contract on improved terms, as he hinted yesterday when he was interviewed on Sky Sports.
But there’s something of a breath of fresh air in the way that Roberto Martinez has stayed loyal to Wigan, and it’s something you don’t see too often these days, in a world of greed and ambition.
This is what a delighted Whelan had to say today:
“This is not all about money because Roberto is not a greedy man.” “Managers and footballers have a reputation of greed and it is assumed they are all like that. He has sentiment and feelings and has a great respect for the operation at Wigan Athletic.”
Mike Ashley was said to be interested in Roberto when he was still managing Swansea, and he was thought at that time (around 2008), to be an up-and-coming manager who played very attractive football.
To keep Wigan in the Premier League in the last few seasons has been almost a miracle, but Roberto has done that, and of course in May the Latics won their last two league games to stay in England’s top league for next season.
We have to hope that Roberto can do the same thing again next season – but it’s not often you see this sort of character and class displayed in football – it’s just great to see.
Comments welcome.
393 comments so far
shabunkin
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:46 PM
Comment #81hes staying at wigan because he realises the curse of villa , no one who manages villa manages again ….brian little , mike gregory , jo venglos , ron atkinson , david oleary and so far martin oneill ……..never to be seen again muhahaha
mr.T...iote
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:47 PM
Comment #82naifron ani news over there on who we are after
niafron
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:48 PM
Comment #83@ NUFC_Richyg01
Gervinho’s statement is old, but not the information in the article. The guy’s said is going to city. Well we’re not forced to believe them sure, but considering what i know of gervinho (my post above), i think this is reliable.
gonz
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:49 PM
Comment #84Remember Carver did say we would make signings that would get BUMS off of seats. Hmmmmmmmmm wonder what that means
niafron
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:49 PM
Comment #85@ mr.T…iote
If you’re talking of Gameiro and Gervinho, as i’ve said, it’s dead.
Toon1978
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:51 PM
Comment #86Gervinho is an ugly gittt anyway hahahahaha.
Eastander
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:52 PM
Comment #87niafron // Jun 10, 2011 at 3:44 PM
If Gervinho wants to be made to feel special why would he go to the likes of arsenal and man city? he has a real chance of that at newcastle but he aint got a hope in hells chance of being their player of the season
Nufc_mo
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:53 PM
Comment #88gonz // Jun 10, 2011 at 3:49 PM
Remember Carver did say we would make signings that would get BUMS off of seats. Hmmmmmmmmm wonder what that means
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well for the doom mongers it obviously means it will get them to get up and leave (the stadium)
😛
northernracoon
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:54 PM
Comment #89@gonz …. bums off seats…. lets hope its not to leave st james,s in disgust 😉
NUFC_Richyg01
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:55 PM
Comment #90Arsenal has said that Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy can both leave.
Looks like they have midfield plans of their own.
Did hear a rumour about Joey Barton!?
niafron
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:56 PM
Comment #91@Eastander
You know, he’s probably sure than in city or Arsenal, everybody will bow front of him…
I’ve said he’s self confident, not than he’s smart…
JackButler
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:57 PM
Comment #92is the gervinho story more paper talk of have there been any quotes from the player or his agent????????????????
Shane Long aka perhaps some other sh!te
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:58 PM
Comment #93I’d be delighted to start next season like this:
——–Tiote–Cabaye——–
Zog—–Ben Arfa—–Fergy
———-Sturridge
Would make a mockery of our European scouting ventures though. The front 4 all being left footers (freaks), would be odd too.
gonz
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:59 PM
Comment #94I just think he bought into the idea that we would be able to attract those types of players ie Gervinho, Gameiro etc…I’m starting to believe we should just go after players in the same calibre of Tiote and forget all these big names cos we don’t really need them, just a few hidden gems out there and G Carr has proven he has an eye for those types. Don’t get me wrong I’d love Gervinho playing for us, but I’m afraid I’m a doubter now that we’ll be able to bring him in so let’s go after realistic targets like N’Zogbia, Sturridge, Dempsey and those few hidden gems.
northernracoon
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:59 PM
Comment #95well thats another day and no news, be surprised if we hear anything until end of next week. infact by the time we have signed anyone ashley will have doubled his 35 mil by means of interest in his bank! 🙁
WWJBD
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:02 PM
Comment #96Right I have some good news for everyone….35 pound for next seasons NUFC shirt
http://www.play.com/Sports-Outdoors/Sports/4-/19667418/Puma-Newcastle-2011-2012-Men-Home-Replica-S-S-Shirt/Product.html?searchtype=allproducts&searchsource=0&searchstring=newcastle+united&urlrefer=search
Enjoy
WWJBD
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:05 PM
Comment #97Scratch that one
http://soccertriads.com/English-Teams/Newcastle/Newcastle-Home-Jersey-11/12/prod_355.html
17 pound
gonz
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:05 PM
Comment #98Best news of this transfer window WWJBD! 🙂
Toon1978
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:07 PM
Comment #99Thought we would have had more info on Cabaye. This club is like the f…ing secret service lol.
ilovetoon8788
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:07 PM
Comment #100so no gervinho. no gamiero. reality check for us and expect more championship players. but championship is all not that bad. gradel, pratley, shane long, neil taylor, taarbt would be fantastic.
gonz
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:07 PM
Comment #101Its out of stock WWJBD
niafron
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:09 PM
Comment #102@Gonz
Amen.
And don’t forget formation. Barca produce his main players.
JackButler
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:10 PM
Comment #103IF Gervinho joins City then MA should go all out to bring Johnson to SJP, a proven premier league player who will now be even further down the pecking order and will want regular first team football, I think he would walk to SJP to put on the Black and White shirt of the club he has always supported
mr.T...iote
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:10 PM
Comment #104awwwww still nee news a think cabaye took a cab outa toon
GeordieGerman
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:10 PM
Comment #1055 pm announcement?
Miles Starforth
@milesstarforth view full profile ?
Newcastle upon Tyne
The Shields Gazette’s Newcastle United writer
adamrylandhall Adam Hall
@
@MsiDouglas @milesstarforth heading to nufc for announcement of Cabaye??
niafron
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:11 PM
Comment #106@ilovetoon8788
Not Taarabt.
After what he have done with the moroccan national team…
nufc90
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:12 PM
Comment #107if gervinho/gameiro don’t come i’d be gutted but until they are unveiled by the clubs they sign for anything is possible..
it’s only june 10th, can’t wait to see waht happens come september 1st. even if we don’t get gervinho or gameiro i’m 99% sure carr has a shortlist of other targets in reserve.
WWJBD
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:13 PM
Comment #108gonz
Aye I saw that but hopefully they will get it back in stock as they havent taken it off their page…I will live in hope haha
JackButler
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:15 PM
Comment #109Krul
Simmo
Saylor
Collo
Naylor
Johnson
Cabaye
Tiote
Zoggy
HBA
Sturidge
Andy
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:17 PM
Comment #110nufc90 i agree. Gervinho could have just said in his last interview, i will be playing in europe. He didn’t, he said he choose where he is going is for personal reasons not footballing ones, clutching at straws a bit there but still a chance.
NUFC_Richyg01
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:19 PM
Comment #111@ GeordieGerman // Jun 10, 2011 at 4:10 PM
I heard it was pushed back to 5pm like
NUFC_Richyg01
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:19 PM
Comment #112@ WWJBD // Jun 10, 2011 at 4:05 PM @ 97
Cant think why they are out of stock!!!!!
Andy
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:20 PM
Comment #113Maybe this isn’t terrible. If it frees up £12m to get zog in i’m all for it. Simply because i know zog can play in EPL. Not forgetting Jonas who had a great end to the season. Hoilett as well would be another good option. These guys will want to play for us more than gervinho i reckon
gonz
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:20 PM
Comment #114@WWJBD crackin prices those kits though! bargain bin! haha! Thinks for the link, I’ll be keeping an eye out for the Newcastle jersey (of course) Mexico, and USAs’ as they are all sold out like! With all three of those it would come out to the same price Ashley is selling our kit at Sports Direct
nufc90
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:20 PM
Comment #115exactly…my mate’s a gooner aswell if he goes there i won’t hear the end of it. i just think the fact talksport reported it means it’s probably bs***. this is the station the other week that was reporting redknapp to chelsea, with benitez definite for spurs. as for skysports they just report the strong rumours from twitter recently. i don’t think anyone really knows a great deal until a club announces it
NUFC_Richyg01
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:21 PM
Comment #116@ Andy // Jun 10, 2011 at 4:17 PM
Think he did actually say ‘England’ or ‘Premier League’
mr.T...iote
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:21 PM
Comment #117hu is that lad,,it looks like a mix between aaron ramsay n gosling,, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G73p_kbWFXU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
JackButler
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:21 PM
Comment #118Guys would you take Adam Johnson over Gervinho????????
Mac
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:22 PM
Comment #119Ha haha Chopra signs for Ipswich.
gonz
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:22 PM
Comment #120Confirmed that Chopra has gone to Ipswich. Good luck to the lad!