Martinez Appointed Everton Manager

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22750453

Everton have appointed Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez as their new manager on a four-year contract.

The 39-year-old Spaniard won the FA Cup at Wigan this season, but asked to leave the DW Stadium after failing to keep them in the Premier League.

He succeeds David Moyes, who takes over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United after 11 years at Goodison Park.

Martinez will be officially presented as Everton manager at a news conference at 16:00 BST.

Roberto Martinez factfile
Age: 39

Playing career: Real Zaragoza (1993-94), Balaguer (1994-95), Wigan Athletic (1995-2001), Motherwell (2001-02), Walsall (2002-03), Swansea (2003-06), Chester City (2006-07)

Playing honours: Copa del Rey (1994), Football League Third Division title (1996-97), Football League Trophy (1998-99 & 2005-06)

Managerial career: Swansea City (2007-09) and Wigan Athletic (2009-13)

Managerial honours: League One title (2007-08) & FA Cup (2012-13)

Wigan said in a statement: "Roberto's influence at the club, both as a player and manager, an association that spanned over a decade, will remain unforgettable to all Latics' fans.

"The club would like to place on record its appreciation for his tireless work during that time, culminating in FA Cup glory last month at Wembley Stadium."

Martinez made 180 appearances as a player for Wigan between 1995 and 2001 before returning as manager eight years later.

Under him, Wigan finished 16th twice and in 15th place before slipping to relegation this season.

In June 2011, he was a target for Aston Villa but opted to stay at the DW Stadium. He was also strongly linked with the Liverpool job last summer.

Martinez, who was hired by Wigan after taking Swansea City from League One to the Championship, announced last month that he would leave the Latics after four years at the helm.

Whelan said on Monday that he had agreed a deal with his Everton counterpart Bill Kenwright to allow the under-contract Martinez to leave.

The Spaniard takes charge of an Everton team which recently finished sixth in the Premier League.

The Toffees have secured a top-eight finish in each of their last seven campaigns.

Former Everton winger Pat Nevin told BBC Radio 5 live that Martinez will be judged a success at Goodison Park if he can maintain the club's current position.

Phil McNulty Chief football writer "Bill Kenwright was determined to be painstaking and detailed about his search for David Moyes' successor but he may also have had a gut instinct about Roberto Martinez and Everton being a perfect fit.

"He will hope, as he did so emphatically with Moyes, that he has made the right choice."


He said: "The realism is, if he does as well as Moyes, he would have done a brilliant job. Moyes has maximised the potential of that club.

"Can he do better than that with their finances? He must roughly finish fifth or sixth, which isn't easy, and he will want to do it in a special way.

"Everton like a cultured game of football, so he will be welcomed. He does have one thing on his CV which Moyes hasn't got though, and [that] is a trophy."

With Martinez's exit from Wigan confirmed, Whelan told BBC Radio Jersey that he will begin speaking to candidates to succeed the Spaniard shortly.

"Obviously, I am now free to look and interview managers because I have to fill the vacancy," he said. "I am in Jersey now for four days, and when I get back, I have to get that vacancy filled within one week.

"I have had over 30 applications from some great men. I am excited about interviewing them.

"It is not an easy job to appoint a manager. Hopefully, I will get the right man, and Wigan will get the right result, and we will fight our way back to the Premier League."

 

Sounds like he's looking for somebody like Pards.

 

Think this appointment is an interesting one ..... will watch with interest

 

Whelan would get great pleasure taking something away from MA.

An extra additive for him.

 

Let's start a petition - Pardew for Wigan.

 

Might have a good rep adding idea there Nedders.

 

Martinez has never finished above 15th in the Premier League, he's talking about taking Everton into the top 4...

I honestly think they'll struggle to qualify for the Europa League next season.

 

We'll find out exactly what Martinez is made of now. Couldn't have walked into a better run club. Everything is there for him so excuses. I wish him all the worst of course

 

Martinez is speaking of European football a little too prematurely, I got Everton finishing around 10th next season, if they keep their best bunch.

 

Used to have a bit of a soft spot for Everton years ago, couldn't care less about them or what happens to them now.

 

Everton with Fellaini, Baines and Mirallas - defnite top 6-7 contenders

Everton without Fellaini, Baines and Mirallas - average midtable team, even possible relegation candidates

Thats Martinez's challenge

 

There's something about that I don't like.

 

He's a brutal thug who punched Shawcross in the face???

 

surely people would like him for punching shawcross in the face?

 

I think Martinez will get found out next year.
He never had pressure at Wigan... Whelan blew him off at every opportunity.
BK will be a little moe demanding, not to mention the Everton fans.

 

I think this is one of the most interesting angles in PL football over the last few years. Martinez really is like marmite. Some think he is brilliant, some think his record doesn't stack up. Personally I'm somewhere in the middle at present and think it will be interesting to see how he gets on. If they retain their big players he'll have a good squad at his disposal. Moyes has had them transforming their style of play for the last few years from his direct early days. He really just has to continue that process.

 

I reckon Everton may struggle.

 

Depends on who they keep, they'll definitely finish top half for me and if they don't lose any players they'll be top 6 again.

 

He's mixed it up with our guys before and got away with it.

Bent refs are others that I don't like.