Roberto Martinez to deside on Aston Villa job by lunchtime - 7M sport

Roberto Martinez to deside on Aston Villa job by lunchtime



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Posted Friday, June 10, 2011 by Dailystar.co.uk

Roberto Martinez to deside on Aston Villa job by lunchtime
ABOVE: Roberto Martinez has been high on Aston Villa’s wanted list since the departure of Houllier

ROBERTO MARTINEZ will give Aston Villa a decision by lunch-time on whether he is ready to become their new boss.

The Wigan manager spent last night agonising over whether to take the tough decision to turn his back on Latics owner Dave Whelan.

After another confusing day at Villa Park, it emerged that Martinez has yet to meet either owner Randy Lerner or chief executive Paul Faulkner for face-to-face meetings.

It is believed the 37-year-old Spaniard spent the day in discussions with the Villa hierarchy. But all he has promised is to give Lerner a “yes” or “no” on whether he wants to discuss the job of replacing Gerard Houllier.

It looked as if Villa had snared their man early yesterday when Lerner’s private jet headed back to America.

But the owner of the NFL Cleveland Browns franchise was not on board. He remained in Birmingham last night, hoping for Martinez to accept the fresh challenge of £2m-a-year three-year contract.

Whelan is ready to extend the remaining year on Martinez’s contract at the DW Stadium and reward his former player with a pay hike for keeping the club in the top flight.

But he insists he will support Martinez no matter what the final outcome is. Martinez has been high on Villa’s wanted list since the departure of Houllier on health grounds.

But Whelan is still confident Martinez will reject Villa’s advances and remain at Wigan.

Whelan said: “My gut feeling is that he will stay with Wigan Athletic for another year or two.

“I have had meetings with him. “We get on superbly well. His decision is final. I can’t make that decision for him.

“If he decides to go, it will be his decision. “I honestly believe he will be one of the top managers in Europe in the next two or three years.

“One of the top six clubs will come in for him. “He is a brilliant manager and an honest gentleman. “He has built a very young squad here and I would be really upset if we lost him.”



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