Celtic make approach for Wigan target Martinez to be new Hoops manager

01 June 2009 12:25
Celtic have made an approach for Swansea manager Roberto Martinez. The Glasgow side are searching for a new manager after Gordon Strachan left the club last Monday and Martinez (right) has emerged as the top choice. Swansea chairman Huw jenkins told the BBC 'I had a call off their chief executive [Peter Lawwell]making me aware that they'd like to talk to Roberto. 'Like I've always done I refused that until I've spoken to Roberto myself and talked things through.' Owen Coyle, Tony Mowbray, David Moyes, Craig Levein and Mark McGhee have all been linked with the Celtic hotseat while Martinez has also been mentioned as a possible replacement for Steve Bruce at Wigan if the Latics boss joins Sunderland. Martinez, 35, steered Swansea to eighth place in the Championship last season after winning League One in 2008. The former Real Zaragoza midfielder has experienced Scottish football before with a short spell at Motherwell in 2001.  Martinez is on holiday inIbiza at the moment but Jenkins expects his prize asset to be back atthe Liberty Stadium later this week. 'I'll probably speak tohim Martinez between now and Wednesday but later on in the week he'llbe back home to run through his thoughts with me. 'Firstand foremost it's about his position here and how we see that, andwe'll consider all that first before any sort of what else he may do. 'I think you've got to respect... what type of club Celtic are and whatopportunities exist - perhaps not in the [Scottish Premier] League butcertainly in the Champions League - and the size of the club. 'Naturally I suppose that interest would require anybody to sit and consider their position. 'It's basically up to him how he sees it, I think there's certainly no possibility in us forcing any issue.'

Source: Daily_Mail