Martinez claims he rejected Liverpool job

By Olivavu, Tue 21/08/12 at 11:14

Roberto Martinez has revealed he rejected the Liverpool job in favour of staying at Wigan Athletic.

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.

sliced-bread-no2
Tue 21/08/12 at 11:22

And yet Tom Werner said in an interview on Five Live that Rodgers was the only man who was offered the job.

One of them is lying, and I'd bet it's Martinez.

Olivavu
Tue 21/08/12 at 11:57

While I tend to agree, I don't see what Martinez gains by saying this now.

But whatever, he isn't our manager.

Mental
Tue 21/08/12 at 12:00

I'm surprised this story wasn't with the spokesman for the everything in the universe Dave Whelan

Nicho
Tue 21/08/12 at 12:35

I reckon Martinez is saving face and trying to get the Wigan fans on side (all 6 of them)
As mental pointed out, If there were any truth in it Whelan would have been shouting it from the rooftops. Yet another item on the list marked "Why I hate Wigan"

Olivavu
Tue 21/08/12 at 12:42

Wigan don't particularly bother me aside from being a waste of a place in the top flight.

Like Middlesbrough were before.

A Premiership club that has more empty seats than taken ones.

ArtonSG8
Tue 21/08/12 at 14:51

Rodgers was always the 1st choice.

Olivavu
Tue 21/08/12 at 15:03

So we have been told.

theanfieldpaddy
Tue 21/08/12 at 15:47

what a load of crap

FernandoFowler9
Tue 21/08/12 at 15:48

Quote from: sliced-bread-no2 on Tue 21/08/12 at 11:22

And yet Tom Werner said in an interview on Five Live that Rodgers was the only man who was offered the job.

One of them is lying, and I'd bet it's Martinez.

And I'd bet it's not.

theanfieldpaddy
Tue 21/08/12 at 15:49

and we'll never know

FernandoFowler9
Tue 21/08/12 at 15:50

Nope.

Olivavu
Tue 21/08/12 at 15:52

I don't see why the attitude should be 'anything our club says must be true'.

We all saw the pictures of Martinez with Henry.

But Martinez isn't our manager and Rodgers is.

FernandoFowler9
Tue 21/08/12 at 15:52

Quote from: Olivavu on Tue 21/08/12 at 15:52

I don't see why the attitude should be 'anything our club says must be true'.

We all saw the pictures of Martinez with Henry.

But Martinez isn't our manager and Rodgers is.

My reasoning also.

theanfieldpaddy
Tue 21/08/12 at 16:11

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

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