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.
OlivavuThu 23/08/12 at 09:58 No he wasn't. Martinez was the first person spoken to, going by the press. Then it was Rodgers, then de Boer.
theanfieldpaddyThu 23/08/12 at 10:02 f**king hell Oli your fast becoming the Eamon Dunphy of Koworld 
OlivavuThu 23/08/12 at 10:06 Not at all. I just like dealing in facts.
theanfieldpaddyThu 23/08/12 at 10:28 and fact is none of us has a clue what went on 
OlivavuThu 23/08/12 at 10:37 Exactly. But the first person they spoke to, going by the media, was Martinez. And he and Whelan have little reason to claim he was offered the job when he wasn't.
theanfieldpaddyThu 23/08/12 at 10:39 Whelan is clown and spent the best part of the summer talking out of his arse and it seems like he's still at it
NichoThu 23/08/12 at 12:31 Without going through all the press reports, my memory of events where that the Club drew up a short list. Both Martinez and Rodgers were on that list. Rodgers said something like "if Liverpool offer me the job I would consider it but I don't feel I need to attend an interview." That's how I remember it. Martinez was interviewed in the States (no conjecture here - we all know that happened) a little later in the summer. What I don't understand is why he attended the interview if he was not committed to leaving Wigan? Why would you jeopardise your standing at the club by seeking a move elsewhere and then turn that move down. He was also linked with the Spurs and Villa posts, although there is no way of knowing if these links were just press conjecture. My take on this is that he was unsuccessful in his interview in the states, was not approached for any of the other premiership posts and found himself still at Wigan, having damaged his reputation with both the fans and the playing squad. This announcement seems to be a move to repair some of that damage. Of course this is only my opinion, but Martinez showed his ambition by deserting Swansea to join Wigan. Do you really think he would have turned us down to remain with the Pie-eaters?
OlivavuThu 23/08/12 at 12:35 May 13th 2012: Martinez linked with job. May 16th 2012: Kenny is sacked. May 17th 2012: Martinez is approached. May 18th 2012: It is confirmed that we have been given permission to speak to Martinez. May 18th 2012: Rodgers confirms he has rejected the chance to speak to us. May 25th 2012: Whelan claims Martinez has been offered job. May 31st 2012: Rodgers agrees deal to be new manager.
NichoThu 23/08/12 at 13:35 May 13th 2012: Martinez linked with job.
May 16th 2012: Kenny is sacked.
May 17th 2012: Martinez is approached.
May 18th 2012: It is confirmed that we have been given permission to speak to Martinez.
May 18th 2012: Rodgers confirms he has rejected the chance to speak to us.
May 25th 2012: Whelan claims Martinez has been offered job.
May 31st 2012: Rodgers agrees deal to be new manager.
And that makes it all conjecture in same way that my summary is.
OlivavuThu 23/08/12 at 13:38 I am just putting dates on what we know has been said and happened. We don't know any more than that.
FernandoFowler9Thu 23/08/12 at 13:47 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.
OlivavuThu 23/08/12 at 13:51 Yep, I have said the same thing mate. Martinez did appear a strong candidate early on though. He was linked before Kenny went and was snapped with Henry.
KK73Thu 23/08/12 at 17:28 I think he might got ahead in the recruitment process and probably on second interview or third he was told more details about the job and the clubs vision in this process he refused to agree on a particular point, which let say DOF, and the interview was cut short. I am pretty sure he would have been negotiating and would have come round had Liverpool forced the issue. By no means has the club offered him a job but were looking a lot closer at the candidate. Suddenly, when there were so much news by Whelan, Brendan realised that Liverpool were only talking to the one candidate and getting close. So through his agents and contacts he managed to relay the message that he wasn't interested to be part of a conventional recruitment process, but was definitely interested if he was strongly short listed. The club went straight for rodgers and the whole processed worked smoothly there after. As for Martinez he is disappointed seems a reject, needs to try to make something out of nothing. The timing is perfect as Swansea has just won 5-0 and Liverpool have lost to West Brom. He states to his fans that his work will be appreciated 5-6 years pointing towards Swansea and that without Rodgers his master plan is solid. It's sour grapes. He has been out done by Rodgers twice and this time his chairman let him down.
My opinion obviously forgot to put that in but Martinez was done by his chairman.
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