Martinez met with Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group in Miami over the summer and was expected to be named as Kenny Dalglish's successor. But the club's interest appeared to cool and they eventually appointed Swansea's Brendan Rodgers as manager.
But, in an interview with L'Equipe, the Spaniard has revealed he was given the chance to take the Anfield hotseat only to decide to stay at Wigan and sign a new contract due to the special relationship he has with owner Dave Whelan.
"We must educate people," Martinez said. "In five or six years, we [Wigan] reap the benefits. Maybe I won't be there then. But this is not why I stayed, when Liverpool made me an offer.
"I stayed because my chairman is unique. This summer, we sat down together. He had thought about the future of the club, I'd done the same.
"He knew that I had spoken with other clubs. But he is so persuasive ... I extended my contract for three years.
"He wants to take the club to the next level. I know it will be difficult, but it excites me a lot."
http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/166123.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
I don't believe that he rejected the job to stay at Wigan - who could go down every season and sink without a trace into the mire of the football league.
EddieCTue 21/08/12 at 16:15 trying to get the Wigan fans on side (all 6 of them) 
KK73Tue 21/08/12 at 16:19 Might be a double dig at us and our Brendan. Might have been offered the job as assistant I think.
theanfieldpaddyTue 21/08/12 at 16:21 but Rodgers turned us down so we went for Martinez hence the meeting , then Rodgers changed his mind and Liverpool told Martinez they would keep his CV on file  i'm still going with this 
KK73Wed 22/08/12 at 18:02 So Tap, Do you mean that Martinez doesn't know when he's not wanted. I'd go for that too. 
LFC SUBWed 22/08/12 at 18:24 If it's true so what? Who cares? I found the pair of them to be a couple of gob shites. They had confidential meetings with Henry and the board and then told sky sports immediately. This is further proof the man can't keep his trap shut. Good luck with Wigan I'm sure that job pisses on the Liverpool post.
Is it me or is everyone reveling in trying to put the boot in on us!?
OlivavuWed 22/08/12 at 19:19 Martinez didn't shoot his mouth off. Whelan did. And everyone saw the photos.
ArtonSG8Wed 22/08/12 at 20:06 He just was for interview and that's why are those photos.
OlivavuWed 22/08/12 at 20:59 You don't know that is all that was said. A - Whelan and Martinez say he was offered the job. B - The club say he wasn't. But they are unlikely to after installing Rodgers. You only believe our owners because you support the club. I don't know the truth and it isn't really important given that we have a new manager anyway.
ArtonSG8Wed 22/08/12 at 21:01 Gerrard said it that Rodgers was our 1st choice.
OlivavuWed 22/08/12 at 21:01 And he would. Have you ever heard of propaganda and lies..? I don't know who is telling the truth and I don't much care.
ArtonSG8Wed 22/08/12 at 21:04 I don't much care too but I belive our captain.
LennyThu 23/08/12 at 00:17 Strange that Martinez bringing this up now... Stranger that he would turn down the LFC job to stay at Wigan.
theanfieldpaddyThu 23/08/12 at 09:47 i have no doubt his chairman toldhim to say this and its all a pile of crap .. Rodgers was our number one choice and now he's our manager so lets move on shall we 
OlivavuThu 23/08/12 at 09:53 That is what we have been told. And yet he wasn't approached until after Martinez.
theanfieldpaddyThu 23/08/12 at 09:57 if you remember right he was asked in for an interview before Martinez waseven interviewed , he turned it down ...
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