Villa target Martinez to stay at Wigan

Posted Friday, June 10, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

LONDON (AFP) - Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has turned down the chance of taking over at Aston Villa, it was confirmed on Friday.

An Aston Villa statement said Martinez, 37, had featured prominently on the club's shortlist of candidates to replace Gerard Houllier but had chosen instead to see out his contract with Wigan.

"Roberto met with his chairman (Dave Whelan) earlier this week and he made the decision to honour his commitment to Wigan," the Villa statement said.

Martinez is reported to have been offered a double-your-money contract to move to Villa, but instead opted to repay the faith shown in him by Latics owner Dave Whelan, who has signed him both as a player and manager.

"Roberto's staying and that's the great news," Whelan told Sky Sports on Friday. "He's signing a new three-year contract. But to be honest, money is not what this has been about. I'm over the moon."

Villa had requested and been granted permission to approach Martinez after he emerged as the front-runner to take over at Villa Park ahead of former England boss Steve McClaren and ex-Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

"The club would like to thank Wigan Athletic Football Club and its chairman, Dave Whelan, for their professionalism in dealing with our request to speak to Roberto Martinez," Villa said.

"Roberto's qualities as a young and aspirational manager ensured him of a position high on our shortlist of potential new managers.

"Given that he had one year remaining on his contract at Wigan, we made an official approach through the proper channels, though we were aware of a commitment he had made to his club to agree and sign a new contract following the final game of last season.

"We remain focused and are working hard to secure the best candidate for Aston Villa who will complement the club's commitment to be true to our heritage, competitiveness and passionate fan base, and will have the new manager in place to prepare the players for the pre-season programme and next season's campaign."