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Wigan owner Dave Whelan labels Everton as 'not a big enough club' for Roberto Martinez
WIGAN ATHLETIC chairman Dave Whelan has revealed he is happy to let manager Roberto Martinez leave the Latics if a big enough club come in for him.
While FA Cup winning boss Martinez insists he is focused on Wigan's survival run-in, rumours are abound that he could take over from David Moyes at Everton.
However, Whelan has poured cold water on those suggestions, stating that while he will not stand in Martinez's path if the Spaniard wants to move on did slam Everton as 'not a big enough club' for the 39-year-old.
"Roberto [Martinez] is always in demand," claimed Whelan. "But he deals with it. He tells me everything and he’s the most honest man you’ll ever meet.
"If anybody approaches him he comes to me and says such a club has approached me.
"Whenever he wants to go, I’ll release him immediately, but he’ll only go to a big, big club and I don’t think Everton are big enough."
Last summer Martinez was reported to have turned down both the Liverpool and Aston Villa jobs, although with Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini set to be sacked and replaced by Manuel Pellegrini, he could take his compatriot's job at Malaga.
Whelan insists the ball is in his coach's court, and is happy to support whatever decision Martinez comes to.
"It’s Roberto’s decision. All I do is support him. If he comes to me and says 'I want to go to whichever club' I’ll say 'okay' and release him immediately because we have such a great working relationship.
"I don’t think he’ll go this season, but if he does I’ll shake his hand and wish him good luck because he’s been a brilliant manager for us."