ROBERTO MARTINEZ HAS pledged his loyalty to Wigan, after turning down the chance to become Aston Villa’s new manager.
A statement from Villa this afternoon read: “Roberto met with his chairman earlier this week and he has made the decision to honour his commitment to Wigan.”
“Therefore, we have not met Roberto and we have not had the chance to discuss the vacant managerial role with him.”
The statement did not indicate that Martinez had been officially offered the position, but said that he was “high on our short list of potential new managers”.
Martinez, who helped the Latics narrowly avoid relegation on the last day of the season, currently has one year remaining on his Wigan contract and was one of the favourites to succeed Gérard Houllier as Villa boss.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has previously demonstrated his loyalty to the Spaniard, promising that he would not sack Martinez even if the side were relegated.
In a statement, Martinez confirmed that the loyalty Whelan has shown in him influenced his decision.
“Over the last two years the Chairman has been very supportive to me and loyal, and now I feel I need to be loyal and supportive back to him,” he said, adding that “I haven’t finished my job at Wigan Athletic.”
Following a managerial stint at Swansea City, where he was dubbed ‘the Arsene Wenger of the Championship,’ Martinez joined Wigan in August 2009.
