Martinez edges close to taking over Everton

Roberto Martinez is widely expected to take charge of Everton later this week, as Wigan have given their manager permission to discuss the vacant position at Goodison Park.

Martinez is considered favourite to succeed David Moyes, who left Everton for Manchester United. The Spaniard informed about his decision to part ways with the Latics after four years at the helm to Wigan chairman Dave Whelan. The latter said he does not wish to stand in the way of Martinez, who helped his side to lift FA trophy before suffering relegation from Premier League.

Whelan said: “Roberto wants to move on and I have got to accept it. Everton rang me and I said they have permission to talk to him. I would never stop Roberto talking to football clubs.

“We will let him go but he’s on a 12-month rolling contract so if he moves someone will have to buy him out of his final year. We are still friends, we will always be good friends and he will always be a friend of Wigan Athletic,” he added.

Whelan revealed that Wigan relegation has been the determining factor in Martinez’s decision to leave, stating: “He does not feel he is up to the task of getting us back into the Premier League. Football is football and I understand where he is coming from. Everton are a nice club and have a great chairman in Bill (Kenwright) and he is an honest man.”