Roberto Martinez has been offered the chance to manage Liverpool according to Wigan chairman Dave Whelan.
Wigan boss Martinez was in Miami on Thursday for talks with Reds owner JW Henry about succeeding Kenny Dalglish
as manager of the Anfield club.
Whelan has confirmed that Liverpool have made an offer to his manager and a decision will be made within the next week.
The only sticking point would appear to be whether Martinez will be given the level of control he demands.
“I have just spoken to Roberto,” Whelan told Sky Sports News on Friday. “He went yesterday to Miami and had a very constructive meeting with the owner of Liverpool.
“They’re going to talk again on Tuesday. They’ve made Roberto an offer and he has agreed to consider it.
“He is also aware that I have said ‘I’d love to keep you but I need a decision by Wednesday or Thursday of next week’.
“If we lose him we’ve got to move and appoint someone for Wigan Athletic.
“In the meeting I think they’ve made him an offer and he’s said ‘what are my responsibilities’.
“These are American owners and the rules and regulations are a bit different from what we English set down.
“Roberto is a seven days a week, 12 hours a day worker and I don’t know whether they realise how hard he works.
“He has rules and regulations to be fully in charge of football and I know he won’t move anywhere unless he is fully in charge of the football.
Consideration
“I think he’s considering it and I think he’ll give it fair consideration.”
Asked to clarify whether Martinez is set to become Liverpool’s new manager, Whelan added: “I couldn’t say that 100% for sure. They have made him an offer, I don’t know what that offer is.
“I think he has said thank you for the offer but I only work when I have complete control of football.
“But he’s having another meeting with them on Tuesday when he says a decision will be made.”
“If he goes to Liverpool we will wish him good luck and get on with the business.”
Asked if this meant Wigan are now actively seeking a new manager, Whelan said: “I would never do that until Roberto says one thing or the other. I want desperately to keep Roberto.
“I have said I would like to know one way or the other by next Thursday
Martínez played as a defensive midfielder and began his career at lower league Spanish side CF Balaguer. Two years later he signed for English Third Division side Wigan Athletic. Becoming part of a small Spanish contingent at the club – alongside Jesús Seba and Isidro Díaz – he was a regular first team player for six years, the longest period of time he spent at one club. In 2001, he moved to Scottish side Motherwell on a free transfer, but he was unable to break into the first team. He switched clubs the following year, this time to Walsall, but again he played infrequently. This prompted a move to Swansea City in 2003, where he was selected as club captain and helped the Welsh side to avoid relegation from the Football League. He was an important part of the team from 2003 to 2006, making 123 league appearances and captaining them to promotion to League One in 2005. He moved to Chester City in 2006, and was again chosen to be captain.
In 2007, Swansea contacted Martínez to offer him the position of manager. He accepted the offer and retired from playing, soon bringing success to Swansea. He won the League One Manager of the Year Award in his first season as Swansea were crowned League One Champions, which took the club back to England’s second-tier division after a 24-year absence. Martínez became the manager of Premier League side Wigan Athletic in June 2009, who he helped successfully avoid relegation for three seasons in a row.