Whelan - I won't sack Martinez

16 June 2009 17:48
Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan has vowed he will 'never' sack new manager Roberto Martinez. Former Latics midfielder Martinez has been confirmed as Steve Bruce's replacement on a three-year contract after a compensation package was finally agreed with Swansea City. Martinez spent six seasons with Wigan as a player and was Whelan's immediate choice to replace Bruce, who left to take over at Sunderland. Whelan is confident he has made the right appointment and has pledged his full support to the 35-year-old throughout the length of his contract. "I will never sack Roberto from Wigan," insisted Whelan. "He is here for three years. If we go down in that time Roberto will go down with us. "I believe in this lad totally. I am going to stay with him. When Steve Bruce left for Sunderland, there was only one man who came to mind and that was Roberto. "I have worked with him and know how dedicated he is to football. I brought him here in 1995 and he revolutionised Wigan. He excited our supporters as he was so skilful. "What he has done since has been fantastic. He has his own ideas and I like his ideas." Martinez does not have the Uefa Pro Licence, a requirement of working in the Premier League, but is working towards it and Whelan expects his new manager will be given dispensation. He said: "Roberto completed one course yesterday. Those courses for professional managers are a doddle. It is not something they should have to go through. "They are in with amateur people, schoolteachers, who give their all for football but are not professionals. It really is a farce at times. He will pass anything he needs to pass."

Source: SKY_Sports