ABOVE: Everton are poised to pick up a bargain by paying just £2m for new manager Roberto Martinez
It’s not a fortune to get a manager like Roberto. I think it’s very cheap for someone of his calibre
Dave Whelan
EVERTON are poised to pick up a bargain by paying just £2m for new manager Roberto Martinez.
Martinez paved the way for a move to Goodison Park by turning his back on Wigan yesterday.
Now he is set to replace David Moyes, who is taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
Martinez told Wigan owner Dave Whelan that he wanted to leave the club he joined in June 2009.
Now, with Wigan relegated from the Premier League, the 39-year-old Spaniard has decided to move on.
But Everton won’t have to break the bank to get him. When asked about compensation, Whelan said: “The amount is around £2m.
“He’s on a three-year contract with 12 months remaining so I would expect they have got to pay the £2m on that which is outstanding.”
Everton have asked for permission to speak to Martinez with Whelan saying: “He says he feels it’s time to move on. He does not feel equipped to take Wigan Athletic back into the Premier League.
“He has been such a fantastic manager. We are good friends and we will stay good friends for the rest of our lives.
“I respect him enormously and I wish him good luck wherever he goes. He just feels that he is not equipped to take us back.”
Martinez guided Wigan to an FA Cup final win with a Wembley victory over Manchester City earlier this month to provide some consolation for their relegation.
Whelan added: “I don’t think his departure would have come up if we had stayed in the Premier League. He feels responsible for that, which is unfair because it’s not his fault.
“He’s blaming himself a little too much. I think it’s unusual for a manager to say that and it shows his honesty.”
Everton will now arrange to hold talks with Martinez, having made an approach last week to speak to the Spaniard.
“Everton chairman Bill Kenwright rang me last week and Bill, being the perfect gentleman he is, said if our talks broke down, could he have permission to speak to Roberto,” Whelan said.
“I immediately said, ‘Yes, you can have permission to talk to Roberto. I have a meeting with him today, the outcome of that you will find out’. I have given them permission to speak to Roberto immediately.
“Everton are a fantastic club. It’s local, they are very well run, where Bill controls it the way I control Wigan.
“They’ve got a great fan base and it’s a very happy club. I recommended Roberto to go and talk to Everton.”
Everton have apologised to their fans for changing the club’s crest without consultation.
Thousands protested at the decision to remove the club motto ‘Nil Satis Nisi Optimum’ (Nothing but the best) from the badge.
The club say it is too late to make another change in time for next season, but have promised to ask more fans for their views next summer ahead of any further alterations.
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